Pygmy Shrew Facts

Take a funny look at the life of the tiny mammal and learn interesting pygmy shrew facts with details of its enemies and survival techniques. The pygmy shrew is the smallest mammal and the only shrew found in Ireland. It is easily told apart from other rodents by its small size, long pointed nose, domed head with tiny eyes and red tipped teeth and the fact that it gets killed a lot as our pygmy screw animation below demonstrates. Pygmy shrews can be found in various habitats, from grasslands and heathlands to farmlands, wetlands, and even gardens. They’re active both day and night, snuffling through the undergrowth in search of prey.

Quite why the pygmy shrew gets killed so often is a bit of a mystery as they taste disgusting, are miserable solitary little critters and normally die within a year anyway. Apart from that, they would make wonderful pets if it were legal to keep them.