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Pygmy shrew

Description: The Isle of Man is home to the smallest mammal on earth, the Pygmy Shrew (Sorex minutus). They weigh four grams and have one of the fastest metabolisms of any animal, meaning they have to eat every two hours, day and night. They feed on insects and live for around fifteen months, in which time females can have up to five litters of two to eight young. It is the only species of shrew to occur on the Island.

Date found: 1975

Taxonomic name: Sorex minutus

Collection: Natural History Zoology Collection

ID number: 1976-0067

Subject tags : #MM100

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