Insectivores, as their name implies, eat insects. However
their diet also includes earthworms, grubs, snails, berries and soft vegetation.
Moles and shrews do not hibernate and are active throughout the day. Of all
mammals living today, insectivores are considered the most primitive and most
closely related to the first mammals that appeared during the age of the
dinosaurs.
Eastern Mole
Scalopus aquaticus
|
Habitat:
|
In
ground that is well drained and also in open areas. |
|
Adult weight:
|
2
- 3 1/2oz. |
|
Adult body
length:
|
4
1/4 - 6 1/2 inches; Tail Length:1-1 1/2 inches |
|
Breeding
period:
|
spring |
|
Litter size:
|
two
to six |
|
Life
expectancy:
|
3
years |
|
Typical foods:
|
earthworms
but occasionally eats the larvae or adults of insects found in the soil
also earthworms and grubs, although beetles, spiders, centipedes, insect
larvae and pupae, and vegetable matter |
|
Image from Microsoft ® Encarta
|
Common Shrew
Sorex cinereus
|
Habitat:
|
Wet
and dry woods close to grassy clearings. |
|
Adult weight:
|
0.5
to 1 oz |
|
Adult body
length:
|
2
- 2 1/2 inches; Tail: 1 - 1 2/5 inches |
|
Breeding
period:
|
March
- November |
|
Litter size:
|
three
to eight |
|
Life
expectancy:
|
1
year |
|
Typical foods:
|
worms
and snails; carrion, or dead animals; and nuts, seeds
|
|
Image from Microsoft ® Encarta
|
This Page Created By: Dennis Churchill
and Zach Nycz
Last updated: July 17, 2002
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