Shrews

Overview:

The origin of the word “shrew” is also interesting. The Middle English form of the word was shrewe meaning an evil or scolding person. The Old English form was screawa, or shrew-mouse. Thus “shrew” has a double meaning today. It defines the small mammal previously described, but also an ill-tempered, scolding woman.  You can be assured at ADAM'S, we have a "No Shrew Hiring Policy!"

Facts:

Both shrews and moles are insectivores, whereas mice are rodents.

Identification:

Shrews are small, mouse-sized mammals with an elongated snout, a dense fur of uniform color, small eyes, and five clawed toes on each foot. The teeth are small and sharp and commonly have dark tips. Shrew feces are often corkscrew shaped, and some utilize regular defecation stations. Shrews are similar to mice except that mice have four toes on their front feet, larger eyes, bi-colored fur, and lack an elongated snout. Moles also are similar but are usually larger and have enlarged front feet. 
SPECIES:
There are six species of shrews in Minnesota.

1. Pygmy - The smallest North American mammal, as small as 1/10 oz.
2. Short Tail - The largest - 3 to 4 inches long and up to 3/4 oz.
3. Masked - The most common in the United States.
4. Arctic - Distinctive because of its dark brown back, lighter sides and buffy-white undersides.
5. Least - Small size, short tail, rare, found in South Eastern counties.
6. Water - Found along streams and meadow bogs in Northern 3/4 of state.

Biology:

Shrews usually do not live longer than 1 to 2 years, but they have 1 to 3 litters per year with 2 to 10 young per litter that will vary between species. The gestation period is approximately 21 days.

Habits:

Coupled with their high heat loss in a small body, shrews are very active and may feed at night or during the day to meet an exceptionally high metabolic rate. As predators shrews can be considered beneficial because of their voracious appetite. Shrews are very aggressive and with their sharp teeth are well suited for biting and tearing flesh. The short tail shrew also has poisonous saliva that aids in subduing mice and it can inflict a painful bite to humans.

The pugnacious nature of shrews sometimes becomes a nuisance when shrews live in or near dwellings. Shrews occasionally fall into window wells, attack pets, attack birds or chipmunks at feeders, feed on stored foods, contaminate foods with their feces and urine, and bite humans when improperly handled. 
FOOD:
Shrews do occur in urban and suburban areas particularly where the residential landscaping or surrounding natural vegetation supports high populations of the shrews’ preferred foods which can include: beetles, grasshoppers, butterfly and moth larvae, ichneumonid wasps, crickets, spiders, snails, earthworms, slugs, centipedes, and millipedes. Shrews also will eat small birds, mice, small snakes, and even other shrews when the opportunity presents itself. Seeds, roots, and other vegetables round out their diet.

Treatment:

Shrews can be removed by live trapping with the smallest sized traps (Havahart 0, Tomahawk 101) or can be caught with mouse sized snap traps or glue boards. In each instance, appropriate baits would be:

1. Peanut Butter
2. Chocolate
3. Bacon
4. Ham
5. Raw Beef
6. Hamburger

Shrews are basically meat eaters; therefore you should try mouse sized glue boards or snap traps, baited with meat, inside cardboard monitor stations or on newspaper. If you are unsure as to whether it is a shrew or a mouse you could try two different types of bait.

Domestic cats appear to be very good predators of shrews, although they seldom eat them. Cats may be effective at temporarily reducing localized shrew populations living in poor cover around structures. Owls may also reduce local populations of shrews in poor habitats.