It seems that the shrews are wintering in the house with us. This photo is of one as it fed on birdseed under the bird feeders the other day. They are beautiful little creatures. They are not rodents, though. I don't know which shrew species this is — there are 5 types of shrews in Vermont. The Northern Short-tailed Shrew, the Cinereus or Masked Shrew, the Long-tailed or Rock Shrew, the Smoky Shrew and the American Pygmy Shrew.The shrews tunnel through the snow just like the red squirrels. But the shrew tunnels look like worm casts and are very wiggly.
The day I took the photos of the shrews, there were two munching away under the tree. We have been hearing mice, we thought, in the walls since winter set in. Now we know that we are hearing shrews.
_/\_/\_
Pleased to make their acquaintance!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to see these at the birdfeeder!
ReplyDeleteHope the shrews are good neighbors.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you online, and that the permanent internet will be restored soon.
When I saw the title of your post, I thought you were talking about women, as in Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew"! I have actually heard of little animals called shrews and wondered what they were...know I know. They look rather cute.
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