Species group · Mammals

Shrews

WAnimals has 2 species of shrew, all in the family Soricidae.

2 species
1 family
59 countries
198 parks
Weight
1 g – 18 g
Length
3.5 cm – 10 cm
Lifespan
1 – 2 years

Ranges calculated from the entries that record the figure, not from all 2.

All 2 species of shrews on WAnimals

Each one has its own full entry. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.

Conservation status

2 Least Concern

No species documented in this group is genuinely at risk according to the IUCN, with the data available today.

See the global conservation status

Where they live

Recorded in 59 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:

Where to see them

Did you know…

  • It is the smallest mammal in the world by body mass, and its heart can beat as fast as 1,500 times a minute.

    From Pygmy White-toothed Shrew

  • It weighs less than a paperclip: 1.8 g on average, which makes it the lightest living mammal on the planet.

    From Pygmy White-toothed Shrew

  • Its heart beats up to 1,511 times a minute, the fastest heart rate of any mammal, 25 times faster than a human's.

    From Pygmy White-toothed Shrew

  • It is the only European shrew specialised in hunting underwater.

    From Eurasian Water Shrew

  • Its venomous saliva can subdue prey such as voles, far larger than itself.

    From Eurasian Water Shrew

  • It can stay under for dives of up to 20 seconds.

    From Eurasian Water Shrew

Ecosystems

See every species group · Explore the species one by one