Least+Shrew

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Least Shrew Cryptotis Parva The Least Shrew Is a small and ver sociable mammal. They are mostly browm above, but fur can also be gray or red. Normally they have a lighter belly, pointed snout, tiny black eyes, short tail, small pink feet, and ears that are barley visible. The Least Shrew is native to Minnesota and live up to 1-2 yeas. Within Minnesota they live in the south eastern corner and the north western corner more prodominately. Feilds, wetlands, meadows, and shrubby areas are where the least shrew can be found, but they are rarely seen. Because of this there is little known about there biology. What is known are some of these facts:

They mate from March-November and have a gestation period of 21-23 days. They have 1-6 offspring several times per year. They are born naked with there eyes closed. Least shrews are nocturnal and diurnal (but to a much lesser degree). They might be more active during the day in summer, when nights are shorter. The Least Shrew is a insectovire and carnivore; beetles, crickets, spiders, grasshoppers, slugs, earthworms, and sanils consist of its diet. Some of the signs of a Least shrew are the nests made of dried leaves and grasses, frequently well hidden on the ground. Partially eaten insects near the nest; extremly tiny dark scat which are widely scattered. They also leave 1 set of 4 tracks. Its hind paw 1/4-1/2" (.6-1cm) long, forepaw is slightly smaller. Prints are so close together they look lke 1 track. The 4 tracks together are 1 square inch (6.4sq. cm). It often doenst leave a tail drag because its tail is short. ​ They also have a sharp sqeak and high pitched whistles can be heard from a distance up to 2ft (61cm). The Least Shrew Is also called the Bee shrew because of its small size and supposedly lives in beehives. Its most major predator is the owls.
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