Shrew ID Scotland (1 Viewer)

Capercaillie71

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2014

• #1

I'm always a bit doubtful on my shrew ID, but I think that this is Common, rather than Pygmy, on account of its proportionally shorter tail. Is this right?

 

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Dmacaskill

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2014

• #2

yes Common shrews tails are about half the length of the body, on pygmy shrew the tail is two thirds the length of the body.

Dean

 

MarkHows

Mostly Mammals

• Apr 22, 2014

• #3

The tail is also too thin to be pygmy shrew, they have rather thick tails and as detailed above longer proportionally.

Mark

 

Capercaillie71

Well-known member

• Apr 22, 2014

• #4

That's great, thanks for the help.

 

Farnboro John

Well-known member

• Apr 22, 2014

• #5

Just for completeness, you can also see the tri-coloured appearance - pale below, mid-tone flank, dark above - that is characteristic of Common Shrew if present (they vary considerably.) Pygmy Shrews are more uniform in colour.

John