Shrews, belonging to the family Soricidae, are tiny, active mammals often mistaken for rodents because of their size and shape. These creatures possess an intense metabolism that fuels a non-stop search for food. Shrews maintain a reputation as relentless predators in their environment, driven by a constant need to eat.
Shrews as Insectivores and Grasshoppers as Prey
The short answer to whether shrews consume grasshoppers is yes; they are a regular component of their diet. Shrews are primarily classified as insectivores, meaning their feeding habits center heavily on insects and other invertebrates. Grasshoppers are a common prey item because they are accessible and provide a substantial, protein-rich meal.
Grasshoppers are consistently included among the beetles, crickets, and moth larvae that form the bulk of a shrew’s insect intake. The shrew’s long, flexible snout and sharp, spike-like teeth are adapted for locating and quickly subduing such mobile prey in the leaf litter and soil. Their hunting success depends on acute senses of hearing, smell, and touch, which they use to locate invertebrates both above and below the ground.
The Shrew’s High Metabolism and Diverse Diet
The underlying reason for the shrew’s constant predation is its high metabolic rate, one of the fastest among mammals. Because they are so small, shrews lose body heat rapidly due to their large surface area-to-volume ratio. This forces them to burn energy at an accelerated pace simply to stay warm, requiring them to consume a massive amount of food daily.
A typical shrew must eat the equivalent of 80% to over 100% of its own body weight every day to survive. Some species may consume up to three times their body weight, and they cannot survive for more than a few hours without finding their next meal. This constant caloric requirement necessitates a broad diet that extends far beyond insects like grasshoppers.
Shrews are opportunistic feeders, readily consuming virtually any creature they can overpower. Their diet regularly includes:
- Earthworms
- Slugs
- Snails
- Centipedes
- Spiders
These invertebrates are easily found in their subterranean foraging areas. They are also known to take on small vertebrates, such as baby mice, small snakes, lizards, and even other shrews when the opportunity arises.
The American short-tailed shrew, for instance, possesses venomous saliva that can immobilize prey larger than itself, allowing it to temporarily store food. While their diet is dominated by animal matter, shrews will occasionally consume plant material, such as seeds, nuts, and roots, particularly when insect populations are low.