Common shrew (Sorex araneus)
	Description	This small animal has a long nose, very short legs, tiny eyes, small ears and a tail. Its' fur is velvety, dark brown on the back, lighter brown on the sides and whitish underneath. It's teeth are red tipped. Head and body length is 48-80 mm and weights range from 5-14 g.
	Life cycle	Shrews are active over a 24 hour cycle, with bursts of activity of 2-3 hours interspersed with short rest periods. A litter of 5-7 young are born between May and September. Shrews rarely live more than 12 months.
	Habitat	Scrubland, grassland, hedgerows and deciduous woodland.
	Diet	Insects, earthworms, small slugs and snails.
	Status
	Reserve	A census in 1998 showed breeding populations distributed throughout the reserve. To get a copy of a small mammal study carried out in 2001, click here:
	Britain	Pre-breeding population estimated at 41,700,000, probably declining due to habitat loss and pesticide use.