Etruscan Shrew

Suncus etruscus

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mammalia · Eulipotyphla · Soricidae

About

The Etruscan shrew, also known as the Etruscan pygmy shrew, white-toothed pygmy shrew and Savi's pygmy shrew, is the smallest known extant mammal by mass, weighing only about 1.8 g (0.063 oz) on average - as much as a paperclip.

Fun Fact

Etruscan shrews are the lightest known mammals at just 1.8 grams — their hearts beat up to 1,500 times per minute, and they must eat 1.5 to 2 times their body weight in insects daily to survive.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Scrublands and grasslands

Diet

Insectivore

Lifespan

1-2 years

Threats

Agricultural Conversion
Overgrazing

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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