Diving shrews

(Photo: mammalogy)

In Europe there is a very strange type of shrews: They are fully adapted to aquatic life, although they are still predominantly terrestrial animals with the scientific name Neomys fodiens. Although very fond of water, when they need to live, they can also live far away from ponds, lakes, rivers, canals, . to 3km.

These shrews often make caves along the shore. The entrances to the cave may be on land or underwater. The cave is quite narrow, though cramped, but very useful: it is used to squeeze water from their usually wet fur.

Try observing a Neomys fodiens shrew when it just came up in the water, it looks sticky, dirty. But after a few quick shakes of the fur, it immediately went into the cave, pressed against the wall, the water on the fur was forced out, the soil quickly drained the water from the shrews. Just a moment later he came out of the cave, looking completely different now: dry and "dashing".

Neomys fodiens shrews are a solitary hobby, they feed both day and night. They can dive deep into the water, swim hunting frogs, fish, snails, mollusks. Also catch insects and many other small animals.

(Photo: univ-ubs)

They make the prey immobile thanks to a powerful weapon: poisonous saliva .

If you see the scene of the Neomys fodiens chasing each other in the water, you will be surprised by their ability.They are the most talented divers in the rat family, these divers swim thanks to the hind legs , using a rudder-controlled tail, especially the two ears are sealed by two valves.

Breeding season from April to September, each female mouse season for 2 litters (more than 2 litters), each has 3-8 young children. Children are pregnant for 24 days or longer depending on whether or not they are raising their previous children. Young children wean at 30 days of age.

Outer appearance: The underside of the tail has a dense undercoat, the legs are fringed, the eyes and ears are small and pointed, the thick coat is gray on the back and the white under the belly. The face is visible in the light as well as in the dark, but the image in their eyes is not clear, in return, their sense of smell and antennae are extremely sensitive.

On average, Neomys fodiens mice have a body about 7cm long, about 8cm long, weighing about 15g. Their lifespan ranges from 2.5 to 3 years.