Head to head
Eurasian Pygmy Shrew vs Etruscan Shrew
The Eurasian pygmy shrew and Etruscan shrew are both tiny Old World insectivores, but only one of them holds the outright record for smallest mammal on the planet.
| Eurasian Pygmy Shrew | Etruscan Shrew | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Sorex minutus | Suncus etruscus |
| Size record | One of the smallest mammals in Europe | Smallest mammal on Earth by mass |
| Native range | Most of Europe | Southern Europe, Africa, Asia |
| Heart rate | High, typical of small shrews | Can exceed 1,000 beats per minute |
| Notable behaviour | Attacks prey larger than itself | Feeds almost continuously |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Grassland, forest | Grassland, forest |
Eurasian Pygmy Shrew vs Etruscan Shrew: common questions
Which is smaller, the Eurasian pygmy shrew or the Etruscan shrew?
The Etruscan shrew is smaller, holding the record as the smallest mammal on Earth by body mass, while the Eurasian pygmy shrew is also extremely small and ranks among the smallest mammals in Europe specifically, but does not claim the outright global record.
Which of these two shrews has the faster heartbeat?
The Etruscan shrew has the faster heartbeat, with a heart rate that can exceed 1,000 beats per minute, among the fastest recorded for any mammal, a direct consequence of being the smallest mammal alive and needing to sustain an extreme metabolism.
Do both shrews live in the same part of the world?
Their ranges overlap in Europe, but the Etruscan shrew has the wider overall distribution, extending across southern Europe, Africa, and Asia, while the Eurasian pygmy shrew is found across most of Europe specifically without extending into Africa.