Stats

Lifespan: 1-2.5 yrs
Size: Medium
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Cathemeral
Social: Solitary
Biome: Temperate forest
Range: North America
Movement: Burrowing
Breeding: Live Birth
Defense: Venom
Status: Uncommon

About

One of North America's only venomous mammals — its saliva contains a paralytic toxin strong enough to subdue mice and insects, letting it cache living but immobilized prey for later. Its metabolism runs so hot that it must eat nearly its own body weight in food every day just to survive.

Life cycle

1.
newborn
A live-born newborn nurses on its mother's milk and depends on her for warmth and protection.
2.
juvenile
A weaned juvenile begins eating solid food and learning from its parents or group.
3.
adult
Fully grown at adult size.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Soricidae
Genus: Blarina
Species: Blarina brevicauda