shrewlike

Shrewlike is a descriptive term used in zoology to refer to animals that resemble shrews in size, shape, or ecology. It is applied to living species and to extinct taxa that share similar skull and dentition features. The term conveys similarity rather than strict taxonomic unity, and its precise meaning varies by context.

In modern usage, shrewlike typically describes small, slender mammals with elongated snouts, sharp pointed teeth, and a dense coat of fur. They usually have poor eyesight but acute tactile senses and whiskers. Many possess a high basal metabolic rate and must feed frequently to sustain energy.

The diet is mainly insectivorous, though some species take crustaceans, small vertebrates, or plant matter opportunistically. Venomous saliva has been documented in several shrew species and aids in subduing prey. Reproduction tends to be rapid, with multiple litters per year in favorable habitats.

Shrewlike mammals occupy a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, and, in the case of water shrews, aquatic environments. They occur in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, but not in Australia or most oceanic islands. They are generally active hunters by day or night, depending on species.

Taxonomically, shrewlike animals belong primarily to the order Eulipotyphla, especially the shrews (family Soricidae). Historically, they were grouped with moles and solenodons in the now-defunct group Insectivora or Soricomorpha. In paleontology, “shrewlike” has been used to describe extinct insectivore lineages with similar skull or dental features.