Short-tailed Shrew closeup - Gilles Gonthier
Mammals

Short-tailed shrew
Blarina sp.

Short-tailed Shrew - Gilles GonthierOften mistaken for a mole, the Short-tailed Shrew is the largest shrew in North America.  They prey upon mice, smaller shrews, snails, earthworms, and centipedes.  Biting their victim in the face or neck, the Short-tailed Shrew paralyzes its victim with poison in its saliva, often devouring the prey before it is dead.  The venom isn’t dangerous to humans. 

Short-tailed Shrew's short tail - Patrick Coin

Roll over the photo at right to see a close-up of the short tail

Cool Links:

The Stunning Saliva Of Shrews - Researchers are trying to unravel the mystery of the shrew's venomous brew. From the Chemical & Engineering News website.

Northern Short-tailed Shrew species profile, from the Discover Life in America website.

back to Nature Notebook

upper photos: Gilles Gonthier; lower photo: Patrick Coin