Family of the Week: The True Shrews
The family Soricidae is around even today. But during the Metazoic, they took different paths of evolution. Shrews basically are tiny, mouselike animals that roam among the leaf litter. They must eat every few hours or risk death. Not all species that bear the name of "shrew" are in the family Soricidae, which is why these animals are known also as "true shrews". In most species the ears are small and round, the eyes are tiny, the head is elongated, and there are long whiskers on the snout. The tail is long and sparsely haired. The legs are generally short, with naked feet. The eyesight is rather poor in most species, but the sense of smell is very good. All species are carnivorous to a degree. The only exceptions to the rule of shrew anatomy is the genus Miasorex. Shrews of the Metazoic range in size from the smallest Suncus species, which are less than an inch long, to Melesuncus, which is about 3 feet long from nose tip to tail tip. Most species are nocturnal and live in small burrows. Unlike some modern shrews, no Metazoic shrews have a poisonous bite.
The species of Miasorex are the most unique of true shrews. Instead of being the tiny, scampering, small-eyed animals we are familiar with today, they are large--generally about 10 inches in length, with large, almond-shaped eyes, large, diamond-shaped ears, and are bipedal. There are 6 listed species of Miasorex, and all are the same in basic form. Instead of running, like regular shrews do, these animals hop like miniature kangaroos. Their tail, which is longer than the head and body, is used for balance, and aids somewhat in launching the animal off the ground. The babies, instead of clinging to the back of the mother, cling to the thick fur on the belly with their long, sharp claws, and hold on tight.
The smallest species in this family are in the genus Suncus. Even today, this genus contains some of the smallest living mammals on Earth. The species S. etruscus, is less than an inch long. These animals are still around during the early part of the Metazoic. These are among the species that must constantly eat to stay alive, so these animals are constantly on the move, day and night, and takes only short naps. Like all shrews, these animals feed on insects.
Most species feed on insects, particularly the smaller species. But the largest, Melesuncus, feeds on other mammals and birds. This shrew is equipped with sharp claws and large teeth, and quite an aggressive demeanor. They live in burrows that they dig themselves, and are mostly active during the day. They use their weapons and power to overpower their prey. Unlike smaller shrews, these animals do not need to feed every few hours. Another genus in this family, Nectogale, feeds on aquatic insects and minnows. In this species, the hind feet are paddle-shaped, and the tail is flat sideways. They spend a lot of their time in the water hunting, and are very good divers and swimmers. The feet are used for paddling, the tail is simply streamlined for water resistance.
Shrews are basically preyed upon by everything from bats to small deinognathids. Shrews tend to defend themselves by staying undercover. Some, like Miasorex, can escape by hopping fast. Melesuncus is a fighter, and uses it's claws and teeth as formiddible weapons.
The species of Miasorex are the most unique of true shrews. Instead of being the tiny, scampering, small-eyed animals we are familiar with today, they are large--generally about 10 inches in length, with large, almond-shaped eyes, large, diamond-shaped ears, and are bipedal. There are 6 listed species of Miasorex, and all are the same in basic form. Instead of running, like regular shrews do, these animals hop like miniature kangaroos. Their tail, which is longer than the head and body, is used for balance, and aids somewhat in launching the animal off the ground. The babies, instead of clinging to the back of the mother, cling to the thick fur on the belly with their long, sharp claws, and hold on tight.
The smallest species in this family are in the genus Suncus. Even today, this genus contains some of the smallest living mammals on Earth. The species S. etruscus, is less than an inch long. These animals are still around during the early part of the Metazoic. These are among the species that must constantly eat to stay alive, so these animals are constantly on the move, day and night, and takes only short naps. Like all shrews, these animals feed on insects.
Most species feed on insects, particularly the smaller species. But the largest, Melesuncus, feeds on other mammals and birds. This shrew is equipped with sharp claws and large teeth, and quite an aggressive demeanor. They live in burrows that they dig themselves, and are mostly active during the day. They use their weapons and power to overpower their prey. Unlike smaller shrews, these animals do not need to feed every few hours. Another genus in this family, Nectogale, feeds on aquatic insects and minnows. In this species, the hind feet are paddle-shaped, and the tail is flat sideways. They spend a lot of their time in the water hunting, and are very good divers and swimmers. The feet are used for paddling, the tail is simply streamlined for water resistance.
Shrews are basically preyed upon by everything from bats to small deinognathids. Shrews tend to defend themselves by staying undercover. Some, like Miasorex, can escape by hopping fast. Melesuncus is a fighter, and uses it's claws and teeth as formiddible weapons.
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