Soricidae; the Shrew Family
There are three shrew species in the UK and they are the smallest mammals in the country with the possible exceptions of the pipistrelles (Pipistrellus spp.); these species are the common shrew (Sorex araneus), pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) & the less common water shrew (Neomys fodiens). The family as a whole contains the smallest mammals in Europe.
As well as the highly developed sense of smell mentioned in the Soricomorpha entry, shrews have the ability to echolocate to find food and navigate just as bats (Chiroptera) do. The water shrew also has poisonous glands that they use to paralyse prey such as amphibians; these glands have the added advantage of making them undesirable to predators which when young may attempt to eat a shrew but soon learn to avoid them. Scent glands in the common & pygmy shrews achieve the same aim.
As well as the highly developed sense of smell mentioned in the Soricomorpha entry, shrews have the ability to echolocate to find food and navigate just as bats (Chiroptera) do. The water shrew also has poisonous glands that they use to paralyse prey such as amphibians; these glands have the added advantage of making them undesirable to predators which when young may attempt to eat a shrew but soon learn to avoid them. Scent glands in the common & pygmy shrews achieve the same aim.