Greater white-toothed shrew

The Greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) is a small mammal belonging to the order Eulipotyphla, family Soricidae. Often found in agricultural landscapes, these animals are frequently misunderstood by farmers due to their burrowing habits and small size, which leads to confusion with voles or other rodent pests.

Unlike true rodents, the Greater white-toothed shrew is an insectivore. Its diet consists almost entirely of soil-dwelling invertebrates, including larvae, spiders, slugs, and worms. Because of this, these animals often act as natural predators of many agricultural insect pests, providing a degree of biological control.

Biologically, the shrew is characterized by an extremely high metabolic rate, requiring it to forage almost constantly. They prefer habitats with dense vegetation, such as field margins, hedgerows, and orchards, where moisture is conserved and insect prey is abundant. They breed during the warmer months, ensuring stable local populations.

The damage caused by these shrews is indirect. While they do not feed on crops, their tunneling activities can cause mechanical disturbance to the soil near the roots of young seedlings or nursery plants. In high-density populations, this can lead to root exposure and subsequent wilting of sensitive crops.

Management strategies focus on minimizing mechanical disturbance rather than eradication. Because they provide significant benefits by consuming agricultural pests, they should be treated as beneficial animals. Protective measures include:

• Keeping field edges clear of excessive debris.
• Utilizing sound-based repellents if tunneling causes specific crop issues.
• Promoting integrated pest management to utilize their role as predators.
• Avoiding chemical rodenticides which harm these non-target species.