Insectivora

=//Insectivora// =


 * __ Characteristics of Insectivoras __** (from latin //insectum// "**insect**" and //vorare// "**to eat**")

Insectivoras are the third largest mammals out of all the mammal orders. They can range from the size that is smaller than a child's hand, like a shrew, to the largest insectivora which is a moonrat that is 24 inches from its snout to the end of its tail. Although in Minnesota, the smallest Insectivora is a Pygmy Shrew (2-3") and the largest is the Star-Nosed Mole (3-7").


 * Pygmy Shrew || [[image:http://planet.uwc.ac.za/nisl/Biodiversity/LOE/images/pic249.jpg width="272" height="171" link="Pygmy Shrew"]] ||
 * Star-nosed Mole || [[image:http://www.harvardpress.com/Portals/0/issues/2009_10_02/star-nosed-mole---main-photo-IMG_4725_350w.jpg width="270" height="175" align="left"]] ||

Most insectivoras are covered with smooth fur, or in some cases like the hedgehog, have spines. They usually have five clawed fingers or toes at the end of their short legs. Insectivoras have long, flat, and small skulls which are often covered with a thick fur coat which may make the skull appear larger. Their eyes and ears are tiny and sometimes unnoticable. Insectivoras have an amazing sense of smell which is assisted by their snouts, which may be long and flexible or short and stout.

Insectivoras prefer to stay out of sight, whether it is hiding underground in tunnels, beneath piles of brushes or leaves, or under rocks (In some species, in the water). They are typically noctural but some are active during the day as well. The Insectivoras have poor eyesight so they rely on their other senses. Sensory hairs, which is located on various parts of their bodies, help heighten their sense of touch which makes them sensitive to their surroundings. They also have a good sense of smell that helps them track down their prey or help them find mates during mating season.

The best defense that Insectivoras have against their predator is to stay hidden. Since they are smaller than most mammals, they can be hidden easier from predators. Some species though, like hedgehogs, have spines that can be used as a barrier to protect themselves from prey. Some shrews and solendons produce venom which can be transferred by biting their prey.

**__ Insectivora Family __**

**// Family Soricidae (Shrew family) //** Northen Short-tailed Shrew || Least Shrew || Arctic shrew || Masked Shrew || Pygmy Shrew || Water Shrew ||
 * = Genus Blarina ||= Blarina brevicauda
 * = Genus Cryptotis ||= Cryptotis parva
 * = Genus Sorex ||= Sorex arcticus
 * =  ||= Sorex cinereus
 * =  ||= Sorex hoyi
 * =  ||= Sorex palustris

**// Family Talpidae (Mole family) //** Star-Nosed Mole || Eastern Mole ||
 * > Genus Condylura ||> Condylura cristata
 * > Genus Scalopus ||> Scalopus aquaticus

**__Diet__**


 * Insects
 * Leaves
 * Tender shoots
 * Seeds
 * Fruits

Most Insectivora are omnivores, meaning that they eat both meat and plants. Being that they eat insects they do not really have to hunt for their food. They mainly just nibble on food that they come across while roaming around. Depending on the atmosphere they also eat a wide assortment of plant parts.

**__Fun Facts__**
 * During drought conditions the insectivora family is one of the least affected.
 * The home range for insectivores are nearly 20 times larger than the pocket gopher
 * The bones of Insectivoras are very small and delicate, so often only their teeth and jaws are preserved as fossils.

**__Insectivoras Worldwide __**

In most recent years, there have been 7 families found, including 64 genera in the family, with around 440 species of Insectivoras. The Insectivoras can be found in every continent except for Antartica and Australia. The Insectivoras are the third largest mammals group. The largest being the Rodentia with around 2,000 species and the second largest being the Chirotera with around 900 species.

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