Shrew Mice are found almost everywhere in forests, woodlands, grasslands, cultivated fields as well as in urban areas. They are excellent hunters and prefer eating grasshoppers, butterflies, beetles and crickets along with seeds, roots and vegetables. They prefer making their nest underground and being territorial animals, live their entire life defending it.
| Common name | Shrew Mouse |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Suncus Murinus |
| Weight | Approximate 23.5 to 145 grams |
| Length | Head and body approximate 7 to 8 cm |
| Tail length | 6 to 7 cm |
| Droppings | Corkscrew shaped, dark color, approximate 25 cm long |
| Sexual maturity | 3 months |
| Habitat | They live natural forests, woodlands, hedge lands, grasslands and also plantations, pasture, cultivated fields, suburban and urban areas |
| Life span | Around 1 -2years |
LIFE CYCLE:After a gestation period of 24 to 25 days, a female gives birth to a litter of five to seven baby shrews. A female usually rears two to four litters each year. Weaning occurs between 15 to 20 days although the young can survive forced weaning as early as 12 days of age. The young shrew mouse has an average weight of 4 grams. The length is 55 -82 mm. At birth, It has few guard hairs and well developed whiskers. Shrew mouse has small eyes, it is short-legged, and has a pointed nose. They have five toes on each foot, soft fur that will lie either forward or backward. They have chestnut red-tipped colours such as reddish and the white; have large cutting or incisor teeth. All shrews have a long snout, which gives their head a triangular shape, when seen from above. They have dark-brown fur, though some tend towards yellow, reddish orgrey. Pelage is short and has a velvety texture. Shrews do not see very well. They rely more on smell, touch and hearing. The weight of an adult female ranges between 23.5 and 82 grams and the males are much heavier, weighing from 33.2 to 145 grams. The total body length of the adults typically varies between 10 to 15cm, including the tail. The lifespan of a Shrew Mouse is about 1 to 2 years
