Eurasian (Common) Shrew (Sorex araneus)

The Eurasian common shrew is found throughout mainland Britain and has been introduced to many of our offshore islands with the exception of Ireland, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides. Individuals have a preference for deciduous woodland, grassland, hedgerows and scrubland habitats where they forage throughout the day on insects, earthworms and snails. It is estimated that around 50 individuals may occupy any hectare of woodland and up to 20 individuals within grassland habitats.

This species of shrew has a pointy face with a long nose and very small eyes and ears. It looks dark brown from above with a grey or silver abdomen, and has chestnut-coloured sides. Adults may only live for a year, in which time they give birth to three or four litters of around six young.

• A dropping sample with sufficient biological material to be used as a reserve is required in case the extraction is unsuccessful the first time: the fresher a sample is, the more likely the test will be able to extract viable DNA.
• Other viable sample types include fur/hair, tissue and blood.
• Often an identified species in bat dropping analysis as well as through biological analysis.
• Samples can be taken using a biological sampling kit/bat dropping collection kit or using your own secure containers and resources.