Gorgeous Springish Day and I'm sick
While the old bronchitis keeps me down and I try not to get too depressed about being anchored down on the pillow, I've opened up the world of iNaturalist.
The first addition is a tiny shrew that I rescued from Chubby Pants the cat today. Although proud of his great hunting skills, the little shrew was just that, so little. At first I thought he was a mole, with that long nose.
He was gentle and I treated him accordingly. While the cat searched, I deftly deposited the shrew to safety
I found this articles like this one in Northern Woodlands that explain the difference. The shrew doesn't resemble the mouse in that his nose is sharper. And this guy didn't have the feet that a mole has.
.https://northernwoodlands.org/outside_story/article/shrew-or-mole-mouse-or-vole
Did you know that a shrew is not a rodent? Neither did I. More of a relative of hedgehog or mole. They can eat a half to two times their body weight. Can you imagine eating two times your body weight in pancakes? Ugh.
I learned that shrews are insectivores and good for the garden. So, I'm glad I rescued this fella. May he have an enormous lunch. And then some.
