Greater White-toothed Shrew

Identification

The greater white-toothed shrew is a small, elusive insectivore that challenges even experienced naturalists to distinguish it from its close relative, the lesser white-toothed shrew. At 6 to 9 centimetres in head and body length with a tail averaging 3 to 4.3 centimetres, it weighs around 11 to 14 grams—making it a truly pocket-sized mammal. The most reliable identifying feature is its unpigmented teeth, which lack the iron deposits visible in other shrew species. Look for a greyish or reddish-brown upper coat contrasting with a yellowish-grey underside. Close inspection of the teeth, rather than general appearance, is essential for certain identification.

Range & Habitat

This is the most common of the white-toothed shrews, with a scattered distribution across Europe and North Africa. Populations occur along the Mediterranean, in the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, and Portugal, with a subspecies found on the Spanish island of Ibiza. Remarkably, introduced populations have established themselves as far as the Canary Islands. The species has recently expanded its range, discovered in Ireland in April 2008 and in England in 2021.

These shrews favour temperate regions abundant in insects, preferring grasslands, woodlands, hedgerows, and agricultural areas. They typically remain below 1000 metres altitude, nesting under stones, logs, and in abandoned burrows. In colder months, they venture near farms and gardens in preparation for winter survival.

Behaviour & Diet

Greater white-toothed shrews are semi-social and highly vocal mammals. They possess a primitive form of echolocation, producing high-pitched twittering calls to navigate their environment alongside their sensitive whiskers. During winter, they share nests and enter torpor to conserve energy. Mated pairs guard territories together, and these shrews are notably monogamous with unusual female-biased dispersal—a rare pattern in mammals that helps prevent inbreeding.

As carnivores, they feed primarily on invertebrates, with occasional small rodents, lizards, and amphibians supplementing their diet. Their cryptic coloration and preference for cover beneath vegetation and leaf litter provide protection from predators including barn owls, snakes, weasels, and genets.

Best Time & Places to See It

The breeding season from March to September offers the best opportunity to encounter this species, as females produce up to four litters during this period. Search grasslands, woodlands, and hedgerows in Mediterranean regions, the Low Countries, Ireland, Portugal, and Germany. Early morning and dusk provide optimal viewing windows, though these secretive creatures remain largely nocturnal. Listen for their distinctive high-pitched calls in suitable habitat, particularly near farm edges and gardens where they forage for insects. Southern Irish counties have experienced rapid population expansion since 2008, making them increasingly accessible locations for observation.

Photography Tips

Photographing this diminutive shrew presents considerable challenges due to its cryptic nature and rapid movements. Use high-speed film or elevated ISO settings to compensate for low-light conditions during dawn and dusk activity. A macro lens will be essential to capture fine details, particularly the unpigmented teeth for identification purposes. Position yourself near potential nest sites under logs or stones, or along hedgerow margins, and remain patient and motionless. Infrared or night-vision equipment may be necessary for successful captures of this largely nocturnal mammal. Remember that your presence may drive them deeper into cover, so approach slowly and avoid sudden movements.