What is such an animal as a giant shrew? Where do they live and what kind of life do representatives of the species lead? What does the giant shrew eat? Interesting facts about this unusual animal, as well as the answers to the above questions, we will consider in our publication.
Appearance
At first glance, the giant shrew may seem like a common field mouse. However, a distinctive feature of the animal is the presence of an elongated muzzle with a thin nose, somewhat similar to the proboscis. The eyes of such a creature are small, black. The ears are quite large, pressed to the head. Bunches of hard, short antennae are concentrated on the muzzle. The body is covered with short dark brown fur. On the abdomen of such animals there is a light patch of wool.
Continuing the description of the giant shrew, it is worth noting that the body size of an adult animal reaches no more than 10 centimeters. The tail occupies about 75% of the length of the entire body. The maximum weight of the representatives of the species is about 15 grams.
Habitat
Giant shrews prefer to settle in wooded areas filled with coniferous and broad-leaved trees. Such animals dig holes on the slopes, which are in close proximity to water sources. In particular, these animals build their own dwellings in river valleys. In general, shrews tend to stick to wet but not wetlands.
Currently, the most numerous populations are observed in the southern part of Primorsky Krai. There are giant shrews in the territories that are located between the valleys of the Kamenka and Serebryanka rivers. Outside of domestic latitudes, representatives of the species were repeatedly caught in China and Korea.
Reproduction
Giant shrews are infertile animals. Probably, this fact is one of the reasons for the gradual extinction of the species. Females produce only one offspring per year. Since giant shrews lead a secretive lifestyle, scientists have not yet been able to establish the number of young individuals in the litter. It is only known that from two to four embryos are born in the womb of females. The question of how many babies are born remains a mystery. According to some reports, the life expectancy of such animals is only a year and a half.
It is noteworthy that for the entire period of the study of the species, naturalists failed to catch a single male of the giant shrew. Therefore, the conditions under which the mating of representatives of the species occurs are unknown.
Food
Giant shrews are extremely voracious creatures. During the day, adults absorb food, the amount of which is several times their body weight. The basis of the diet is made up of small insects. The favorite treats of the giant shrews are all kinds of larvae, as well as earthworms.
Such rodents are known for unusual, extremely intensive metabolism in the body. Without food, the animals are able to survive only for one day. Food and rest are the primary needs of the species.
Surprisingly, shrews feed more than a hundred times a day. At times when there is no access to food, such animals fall into a short sleep, during which food is actively digested. To find prey, shrews are able to make deep holes even in the most dense soil. These rodents are also looking for food under all kinds of snags, in the thickness of deadwood, under the snow. In pursuit of prey, giant shrews are able to penetrate places where no other animal can reach. Extreme voracity makes giant shrews leave their shelters in the most inclement weather and at any time of the day, regardless of the season.
The gluttony of such animals brings considerable benefits to ecosystems. Shrews are illegible in the choice of food. Therefore, they eat a considerable number of harmful insects. Destroying parasites, these creatures maintain a natural balance in wildlife.
Why broughtgiant shrew in the Red Book?
The reason for this is the constant decline in the number of the species. Over the past few centuries, the number of such rodents has decreased to critical limits. The animal was on the verge of extinction. The determining factor here was the unreasonable economic activity of man, in particular, the uncontrolled cutting down of broad-leaved and cedar trees, in the roots of which shrews find shelter.
Currently, the animal is under protection, it is listed in the Red Book of Russia. The giant shrew can be seen on the territory of such reserves as Kedrovaya Pad, Lazovsky, Sikhote-Alinsky and Ussuriysky. In order to study the species, 42 adult individuals were caught here for the entire time. At the moment, the exact number of giant shrews in protected areas is not known. Numbers of these relic rodents remain low and fluctuate wildly from year to year, according to researchers.
In closing
Giant shrews are defenseless, touching creatures that are on the verge of extinction and are in dire need of human protection. At the moment, special measures for the conservation of the species have not been developed, in addition to the resettlement of such rodents in protected areas. The main difficulty faced by researchers is the extremely secretive way of life of these animals. To save the giant shrew from extinction, biologists will have to study the species in more detail.
