Chordata:
Scientific name: Cryptotis parua Class: Mammal Description of habitat: The are mostly commonly found in open fields with tall grasses and places that have fallen trees and brushes for protection. They are very social compared to other shrews. They live in colonies, up to 31 shrews live together. They eat mostly insects, insect larva and centipedes. But they also eat snails, spiders and crickets.
Facts: The least shrew is the smallest of the North American shrews and one of the smallest mammals found in Connecticut. Least shrews have an extremely high metabolic rate. This rapid conversion of food to energy requires that these animals consume up to their own body weight in food every day. The highly social and gregarious least shrew often cooperates in building burrows or nests, which are sometimes shared with other least shrews during the nesting and wintering seasons.
Endangered: The least shrew was the first mammal listed as endangered under Connecticut's Endangered Species Act.
Human impact: The human impact on the least shrews are highly insectivorous and may inadvertently help protect crops from harmful insects. Shrews also aerate soil, which is a benefit to agricultural practices. We really dont impact them, probably just taking their homes away for building jobs and houses.
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Sources:
1) www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBS_Iif27_A
2) www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewSpecies.php?species=768
3) www.projectnoah.org/spottings/156536003
4) www.d91.k12.id.us/skyline/science/zoology/leashrew.htm
5) www.naturalhistory.si.edu/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=52
6) www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=326034
1) www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBS_Iif27_A
2) www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewSpecies.php?species=768
3) www.projectnoah.org/spottings/156536003
4) www.d91.k12.id.us/skyline/science/zoology/leashrew.htm
5) www.naturalhistory.si.edu/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=52
6) www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=326034