Southern short-tailed shrew Blarina carolinensis
Sated and snacking, the shrew sniffs and considers an ambling morsel
Ever hungry, shrews eat every few hours, 24-7-365. No hibernating, they go-go-go their entire lives. They especially love a place with a deep leaf layer; not too wet, not too dry, just right for worms, grubs, and other delicacies. Some have toxic saliva, a venom being studied for cancer treatment. Reputed to startle easily and die of fright at a sudden shock, only a few species have been studied. They share that ecological niche of small-sized, yet extremely populous mammals that feeds so much of the food chain. Cats won’t eat them, but lots of other animals do.
Anne Dean Southern Shrew Acrylic 12 x 12 $150
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