General Information



	Photo courtesy of John L. Tveten http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/crypparv.htm

The least shrew is one of the smallest mammals in the world. It weighs 1/7 to 1/4 of an ounce and usually only is about 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length. The least shrew proves to be quite useful as a laboratory animal due to its social, non-aggressive attitude and the ease with which breeding and maintenance in captivity occur. In addition to being beneficial as a biomedical research organism, the least shrew helps human populations by controlling many insect populations. The least shrew is active during the day, but is most active at night. It has a very short tail and is also known as the short-tailed shrew in some circles. A least shrew will not exceed 95 millimeters in length and does not exhibit any significant sexual dimorphism. Their fur is very thick in order to keep in precious heat and energy and their fur varies in color from brown in the summertime to gray in the wintertime. The least shrew expends a lot of energy when reproducing and possesses a very high basal metabolic rate as well. Echolocation can help them explore a new area without attracting predators. The least shrew produces tiny calls, barely audible to human ears. These high-pitched sounds as well as echolocation may be involved in the social behavior and the least shrew communication system. Least shrews make use of echolocation when they are exposed to strange or novel situations. One researcher concluded that the calls or clicks are often used when the least shrew is alone or exploring its habitat and found that males also produce clicks during mating (Gould 1969).

References Page

Least Shrew Home Page

This website was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Biology 323, Animal Behavior, at Davidson College in the Spring Semester 2008.

Please send any comments, questions, or suggestions regarding this website to Nate Geigle or Professor Verna Case.