Insectivores

Shrew Hedgehog Mole Tenrec Insectivores are mammals that survive by eating almost nothing except small insects. Shrew Hedgehog Mole Tenrec

Shrew Shrews are very small and very aggressive mammals. They live in almost every type of habitat. There are about 260 species of shrew.

Shrew Shrews are related to moles; they are not rodents. They are very good burrowers and swimmers. Many shrews are nocturnal.

Shrew The North American Pygmy shrew may be the smallest mammal in the world. It weighs about 2 - 4 grams. It’s body is about the size of a person’s thumb. The biggest shrews are about 1 foot long.

Shrew Shrews have short, dense fur, clawed feet, a long snout, sharp teeth, and big ears. They have very good hearing but also use echolocation.

Shrew Shrews need to eat their own weight in food each day! They will even attack and kill animals that are bigger than they are. Some species of shrew are venomous and have a poisonous bite.

Shrew Scientific Name Sorex cinereus (Masked Shrew)

Hedgehog The hedgehog is a small, noisy animal whose hair is modified into stiff, spiky spines on the upper part of its body. They are native to Africa, Asia, and Europe. They can live in a wide variety of habitats. Hedgehogs will hibernate in very cold climates and aestivate in hot deserts. They have a lifespan of about 5 years in captivity.

Hedgehog The hedgehog was named because of its odd foraging methods. They will root through hedges and other undergrowth looking for food. As it picks its way through the hedges, it makes a pig-like grunt—so the name “hedgehog.”

Hedgehog If attacked, the hedgehog will curl up into a prickly ball that is almost impossible to attack. They will usually sleep in this position during the day and awaken at night to hunt.

Hedgehog Hedgehogs are also solitary animals. They will only get with other hedgehogs to mate. Young hedgehogs only stay with their mothers about 4-7 weeks. Females must guard against male hedgehogs, who will sometimes eat the young babies. Mothers have also been known to eat their young if the nest has been disturbed.

Hedgehog Scientific Name Erinaceus albiventris (Common Hedgehog)

Mole The mole is a burrowing mammal with substantial claws. It lives underground for most of its life. There are about 30 species of mole found worldwide.

Mole Moles live in a variety of habitats, including fields, woodlands, swampy land, river banks, and deserts. Moles have a lifespan of about 3 years in the wild. Some moles are very good swimmers.

Mole Moles have tiny eyes and are virtually blind. They have a great sense of touch which is helped by sensory bumps on the snout, sensory whiskers on the face, and sensory hairs on the feet and tail. They have shovel-shaped, five-toed, thick-clawed feet that are very efficient at burrowing. Many moles have a long, powerful tail.

Mole Moles eat their own weight in food each day. They eat insects, earthworms, some small mice, and some other small animals. They find prey primarily using their sense of touch.

Mole Scientific Name Scalopus aquaticus (Eastern Mole)

Tenrec Tenrecs are found on Madagascar and other nearby islands. There are about 20 species of tenrec.

Tenrec They range in length from about 1-15 inches, not including the tail. Most species are some shade of brown on top, with lighter undersides. Many species have prickly spines covering their bodies. Some species, such as the streaked tenrec, have stripes formed by rows of yellow spines.

Tenrec Tenrecs have long snouts that they use to forage for food. Their diet consists mainly of insects and worms, but they will also eat plant material.

Tenrec Some tenrecs live in trees; some live in water; others live underground like moles. Female tenrecs, unlike most mammals, have lots of babies at one time. They can bear more than 10 young. Some can even have up to 23 in one litter!!

Tenrec Newborn tenrecs are usually naked and blind. They will usually develop at different rates. Usually, a few hours after birth, the newborns can crawl like lizards. Within about 2 ½ weeks, babies are able to move around quickly in the nest. They are completely dependent on their mothers for food during their early weeks.

Tenrec Scientific Name Tenrec ecaudatus (Common Tenrec)

Final Point!!! Which insectivore would you be and why?