Conservation Status: Common
Hertfordshire: Scarce
Protection: Shrews are listed on Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This prtects them from being trapped without a licence (unless precautions are taken to ensure they remain alive).
General Information: Much smaller than the common shrew with a proportionately longer tail. Commonly found where there is plenty of ground cover; with a preference for grassland over woodland. Active day and night, they are predators feeding on a wide variety of invertebrates; tending to take smaller prey than common shrews - particularly small beetles and woodlice. They are essentially solitary and, like the common shrew, are aggressive towards each other. They have a life span of 15-16 months with a peak mortality at 2-4 months of age. Pygmy shrews in lowland habitats are less abundant that common shrews.
Threats: The continued loss of semi-natural habitats and use of agricultural chemicals has probably led to a population decrease. Like the common shrew, the pygmy shrew is found in owl pellets, is a victim caught in discarded bottles and drink cans and is often killed by domestic cats.
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