Sorex araneus
Eurasian shrew

Sorex araneus is found in Europe, including Great Britain and the Pyrenees. The extent of its range to the east is Lake Baikal, except in the dry steppes and desert zone. It is not found in Iberia, or most of France.(Mitchell-Jones 1999, Stone 1995)

Sorex araneus lives in variable habitats. These include woodlands, grassland, dunes, scree, heath, and hedgerows. It can live as far as the limits of the summer snow line.(Parker 1990)

Sorex araneus has a tricolored coat. The ventral side is grayish, and the dorsal side varies in color from black to reddish brown. Its flanks are nut brown. Its tail is brown on the dorsal side, and gray ventrally. It has small eyes and it ears are hidden in fur. It has red-tipped teeth.(Mitchell-Jones 1990, Stone 1995)

Gestation takes place for 19-21 days. Young are born weighing between 0.5-0.6 grams. The young are weaned after 26-30 days, and reach sexual maturity at 9 or 10 months.(Parker 1990, Mitchell-Jones 1999)

Sorex araneus can live for about 2 years. (Mitchell-Jones 1990)

Juveniles disperse shortly after weaning, and are especially vulnerable to predation during dispersal. Both sexes establish home ranges as juveniles, and are territorial. The home ranges vary in size from 370-630 m^(2). Breeding is delayed until the second year. Individuals are solitary and aggressive, and population densities range from 42-69 individuals per hectare. They are active during night and day. (Stone 1995)

It is an opportunistic feeder that preys upon many insects, woodlice, spiders, and earthworms. (Cove et al. 2000)

There are a number of predators of Sorex araneus, as listed below. (Kristofik 1999, Parker 1990)

Sorex araneus makes burrows below ground, and also uses the burrows of mice, voles, and moles. (Stone 1995)

There may be some pest invertebrates in the diet of Sorex araneus.

Sorex araneus eats helpful invertebrates such as earthworms and spiders.

The main threat to Sorex araneus is by habitat destruction through road construction and development in Europe(Stone 1995).

The common shrew in England is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and cannot trapped without a license (The Mammal Society 2001).