Ch. 17 - Insectivora Flashcards
This eutherian mammal order contains moles and shrews
Order Insectivora
What are three areas where most insectivores are found?
Ethiopia, Asia, Europe
What percent of insectivores are shrews?
70%
This insectivore family contains the shrews
Soricidae
How do shrews deliver venom to their prey?
Through saliva
What kind of venom do shrews have?
Neurotoxin
Shrews lack this skull feature
Zygomatic arch
What color are shrew teeth?
Red
What type of incisors do shrews have?
Pinching
Shrews are too small to do this
Migrate
What do shrews do to conserve energy in colder months?
Enter torpor
In shrews, this is too small to conserve energy
Mass-to-body surface ratio
This type of metabolic rate is very high in shrews
Mass-specific metabolic rate
Why do shrews need moist habitats?
High metabolic water loss
In shrews, high metabolic water loss increases this
Respiration
What is the lifespan of a shrew?
<1 year
What species of shrew is found in Oklahoma?
Least shrew
What is the scientific name of the least shrew?
Cryptotis parvus
This Insectivora family includes moles
Talpidae
Moles lack this feature
External ears
What type of eyes do moles have?
Degenerative
What characterizes mole appendages?
Short appendages
What characterizes mole fur?
Bidirectional
What characterizes mole noses?
Highly enervated
