water shrew
Semiaquatic venomous mammal
A water shrew is a small semiaquatic mammal with dense, water-repellent fur and fringed feet adapted for swimming.
Found near streams and ponds, water shrews hunt aquatic insects, small fish, and crustaceans.
Some species have mildly venomous saliva that helps subdue prey.
Entering water deliberately
- swimmingLocomotion through water
- streamsideAdjacent to flowing water
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
submerged · paddling · waterways · ponds · streams · riverbank · marshes · semiaquatic
Six-legged arthropods
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- beetlesHard-winged insects
- wormsLimbless burrowing invertebrates
- grubsImmature beetle stage
arthropods · invertebrates · caddisflies · mayflies · aquatic insects · snails · crustaceans · foraging
Active during darkness
- crepuscularRelating to dusk
- twilightLight after sunset
- duskDimming after sundown
- secretiveInclined to conceal
solitary · territorial · aggressive · burrowing · nesting · swimming · diving · foraging
Animal body hair
- whiskersFacial sensory hairs
- smallLimited in size
- vertebrateSpinal column animal
- warm-bloodedInternally temperature-regulated
litter · burrow · velvety · dense coat · tiny · metabolism · heartbeat · short-lived
diving
Entering water deliberately
- swimmingLocomotion through water
- streamsideAdjacent to flowing water
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
wetlands · submerged · paddling · waterways · ponds · streams · riverbank · marshes · semiaquatic · underwater
insects
Six-legged arthropods
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- beetlesHard-winged insects
- wormsLimbless burrowing invertebrates
grubs · arthropods · invertebrates · caddisflies · mayflies · aquatic insects · snails · crustaceans · foraging · prey
nocturnal
Active during darkness
- crepuscularRelating to dusk
- twilightLight after sunset
- duskDimming after sundown
secretive · solitary · territorial · aggressive · burrowing · nesting · swimming · diving · foraging · hyperactive
fur
Animal body hair
- whiskersFacial sensory hairs
- smallLimited in size
- vertebrateSpinal column animal
warm-blooded · litter · burrow · velvety · dense coat · tiny · metabolism · heartbeat · short-lived · territorial
swift
Moving with speed
darting · rapid · speedy · fleet · energetic · acrobatic · streamlined · hydrodynamic · buoyant · air bubbles