Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
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).
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Sorex araneus eats helpful invertebrates such as earthworms and spiders.
There may be some pest invertebrates in the diet of Sorex araneus.
Positive Impacts: controls pest population
Sorex araneus makes burrows below ground, and also uses the burrows of mice, voles, and moles. (Stone 1995)
It is an opportunistic feeder that preys upon many insects, woodlice, spiders, and earthworms. (Cove et al. 2000)
Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore , Eats non-insect arthropods)
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)
Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native )
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)
Habitat Regions: temperate
Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; mountains
Sorex araneus can live for about 2 years. (Mitchell-Jones 1990)
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 2 years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 2.0 years.
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)
Range mass: 5 to 14 g.
Range length: 48 to 80 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average basal metabolic rate: 0.348 W.
There are a number of predators of Sorex araneus, as listed below. (Kristofik 1999, Parker 1990)
Known Predators:
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)
Range gestation period: 19 to 21 days.
Range weaning age: 26 to 30 days.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 9 to 10 months.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 9 to 10 months.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); viviparous
Average birth mass: 0.44 g.
Average number of offspring: 6.
Parental Investment: altricial
