Two orders of insectivores:
Relationship between the orders Erinceomorpha and Soricomorpha is unclear.
They are closely related, but should there be two orders?
One order?
No one seems to know, and it's not that important. We'll keep following the text.
Order Erinaceomorpha
Hedgehogs & relatives. Only one family (Erinaceidae).
Old world animals.
Hairs modified as spines in hedgehogs.
Other groups (e.g. moonrat) look more shrew like.
Hedgehogs are omnivorous (prefer animals).
Fairly common in some parts of Europe.
Others (e.g. moonrat) are not known well enough, but seem to eat mostly insects and invertebrates.
(Typical shrew fare).
Text speculates that they are heterothermic and can hibernate.
Order Soricomorpha
Four families; we'll look at two (and briefly mention a third).
Family Solenodontidae
Are unusually large for a shrew-like animal - size of a muskrat.
Seriously endangered due to introduction of rats, mongooses, and cats & dogs.
Cuba & Haiti.
Like shrews, are venomous (more below).
And that's all we'll say about them. Family Soricidae - shrews.
Large family of successful mammals. Over 370 species.
Small (largest gets to small rat size).
Venomous - venom is delivered through rough channels in some of their teeth (e.g., lower incisors).
Affects small mammals.
Wikipedia mentions specifics (e.g., enough venom in a single Blarina to kill 200 mice, but source seems a bit suspect).
But some species do prey on small mammals.
Records indicate symptoms developing in humans (not really dangerous to humans).
Only venomous mammals other than platypus (and solenodons).
Generally are insectivorous, but larger species may go after vertebrates.
Have a very high metabolism and need to eat constantly:
Main reason that they're frequently found dead in live traps.
Sorex sp., Blarina sp., dental formula:
3/1 1/1 3/1 3/3
Other species (e.g. Notiosorex sp., Cryptotis sp. will vary from this).
Most shrews around here are easy to identify down to family due to reddish-purple color of teeth.
Numerous species around here: short tailed shrew, southeastern shrew, masked shrew, least shrew, pygmy shrew.
Some of these are easy to identify (e.g., short tailed shrew), others can be a bit of a pain without a skull.
Pygmy shrew is tiny (about dime size). One source mentions that specimens are rare.
GMU used to have several in its collection!
Water shrew (does occur in extreme mid-western Virginia), Sorex palustris is semi-aquatic: Has fringe of hairs on it's feet that are used to help it swim (or even run on water).
Some shrews have primitive echolocation.
Family Talpidae - moles
2-3/1-3 1/0-1 3-4/3-4 3/3
Burrow through soil looking for invertebrates.
Large front feet, reduced eyes, etc.
Birth canal passes ventral to hips (hips are greatly reduced).
Two species around here:
Scalopus aquaticus (Eastern mole)
Condylura cristata (Star nosed mole)
Projections from nose are an extensive network of touch receptors that can be used to locate prey.
Can construct extensive burrow system, which can be damaging to some human activities (e.g. golf).