Head to head
Etruscan Shrew vs Least Shrew
The Etruscan shrew and least shrew both hold size records within their respective regions, but their social behaviour reveals two very different survival strategies for a tiny mammal.
| Etruscan Shrew | Least Shrew | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Suncus etruscus | Cryptotis parva |
| Size record | Smallest mammal on Earth by mass | Smallest shrew in North America |
| Social behaviour | Solitary | Occasionally huddles in groups |
| Native range | Southern Europe, Africa, Asia | Eastern and central North America |
| Heart rate | Can exceed 1,000 beats per minute | High, typical of small shrews |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Grassland, forest | Grassland, forest |
Etruscan Shrew vs Least Shrew: common questions
Is the Etruscan shrew smaller than the least shrew?
Yes, the Etruscan shrew is the smallest mammal on Earth by body mass, smaller even than the least shrew, which instead holds the record only for the smallest shrew species specifically within North America rather than the entire world.
Which of these two shrews is more social?
The least shrew is considerably more social, sometimes sharing nests and huddling together with other individuals for warmth, a behaviour uncommon among shrews generally, while the Etruscan shrew lives a solitary existence typical of most members of the shrew family.
Do these two shrews live on the same continent?
No, the Etruscan shrew is native to a broad range spanning southern Europe, Africa, and Asia, while the least shrew is native to eastern and central North America, meaning the two record-holding shrews never naturally encounter one another.