Description ²

As both the common and scientific names suggest (minutus means small), the pygmy shrew is tiny, in fact it is the smallest native British shrew. It has a pointed snout and greyish-brown fur that becomes paler on the underside. Compared to other species of British shrews, the pygmy shrew has a relatively longer, hairier tail. Like other shrews of the genus Sorex, this species has red-tipped teeth, formed by the deposition of iron, which toughens them against wear-and-tear.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Aleksandar, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Aleksandar
2. (c) Wildscreen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/2609084

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• ASM Mammal Diversity Database
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• iNaturalist Mammal Working Group
• NBN Atlas
• VertNet

iNat Map