Insectivora

Table of Contents

Introduction

Insectivora encompasses an array of fascinating mammals, including shrews, moles, and hedgehogs. These creatures, while diverse, all share a remarkable knack for thriving across various continents and playing pivotal roles in their ecosystems.

What "Insectivora" Means

"In the past, the grouping was used as a scrapbasket for a variety of small to very small, relatively unspecialised, insectivorous mammals. Since any primitive-looking fossil groups of placental mammals were commonly assigned to this order for convenience, it was held to constitute the basal stock out of which other placental orders had evolved. At its widest extent, therefore, the order Insectivora was polyphyletic and cannot be considered a clade."

What Animals Are Covered on This Page

Since "Insectivora" has been largely abandoned, this page includes those same species, but in our introduction to the different types of Insectivores, we list the species by Order, then the Family names under, and species or subspecies under those names. 

This page might not cover all insectivores, but we have tried to focus on the currently living species, both generic (such as hedgehogs who live all over Eurasia and Africa) and some rarer, more specialized species such as the Pink Fairy Armadillos of  Argentina and the Marsupial Moles of Australia.

Evolutionary Origin and Significance

Insectivores, have evolved along different evolutionary trees to become vital cogs in many ecological systems. They predominantly feed on insects, naturally controlling these populations. Those which engage in burrowing behavior also aid in soil aeration, promoting a healthier and more balanced environment. Additionally, being part of larger food chains, they serve as both hunters and the hunted, emphasizing their integral role in sustaining nature's balance.

Range

Spanning multiple continents, the adaptability of the Insectivora family is evident:

Ecological Role

Insectivores play multifaceted roles within their ecosystems. In other words, they interact with both their environment and fellow organisms in ways that promote balance and diversity.

Specific Functions in Their Ecosystem


Mutual Relationships with Other Species


The Insectivora family, in their myriad interactions and functions, underscore the interconnectedness of life. Each member, while seemingly small and inconspicuous, plays an invaluable part in sustaining the intricate web of life.

Types of Insectivores

The following are listed by order, then family



Order: Afrosoricida 

Family: Chrysochloridae

Golden Moles 

"Of the 21 species of golden mole, no fewer than 11 are threatened with extinction. The primary cause being human-induced habitat loss."Wikipedia: Golden Mole

"Golden Moles are endemic to subSaharan Africa, where the 21 known species inhabit a wide altitudinal, climatic and vegetational spectrum of subterrestrial habitats. They have a markedly southern African centre of diversity, with only three species occurring outside this region..." - Afrotheria: Golden Moles

Family: Potamogalidae 

Otter Shrew

"Currently this species is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN because its declining rate is not significant enough to move to the next category.[1] However it is on the decline. One of the major threats to this species is the soil erosion caused by deforestation especially in Cameroon.[1] While they can tolerate seasonally cloudy streams, streams muddied from erosion and deforestation are little used.[4] Some drown in fishing nets or fish traps,[4] and members of this species have not survived well in captivity. There is ongoing research about the effects of human activity on them. It is also hunted extensively for its skin.[1]"

"The giant otter shrew (Potamogale velox) is a semiaquatic, carnivorous afrotherian mammal. It is found in the main rainforest block of central Africa from Nigeria to Zambia, with a few isolated populations in Kenya and Uganda. It lives in streams, wetlands and slow flowing larger rivers.[2] It is the only species in the genus Potamogale. Otter shrews are most closely related to the tenrecs of Madagascar.[3]

They are nocturnal carnivores that feed on aquatic animals. Despite its name, the giant otter shrew is not a true shrew (Soricidae). The common name refers to their resemblance to otters with their flat face, stiff whiskers, and muscular tails, and to their overall superficial similarity to true shrews."

Wikipedia: Potamogalidae

Family:  Tenrecidae 

Trenecs 

Least Concern

"Greater Madagascar tenrecs are spiky, nocturnal, insect-eating small mammals. Though sometimes confused with hedgehogs, tenrecs are actually members of a different order. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and they live only in Madagascar where they were one of the first mammals to colonize." - Smithsonian

Order: Chiroptera 

While some bats feed on fruit or pollinate flowers, other types of bat are insectivores who can catch many types of flying insects each night including moths and mosquitoes.

Order: Cingulata

Some types of Armadillo are insectivores, though like many other insectivores, they can eat other types of food too. Armadillos species that primarily eat things other than bugs wouldn't fall into the insectivore category.

Family: Dasypodidae 

Nine Banded Armadillo

"Nine-banded armadillos are generally insectivores. They forage for meals by thrusting their snouts into loose soil and leaf litter and frantically digging in erratic patterns, stopping occasionally to dig up grubs, beetles (perhaps the main portion of this species' prey selection), ants, termites, grasshoppers, other insects, millipedes, centipedes, arachnids, worms, and other terrestrial invertebrates, which their sensitive noses can detect through 8 in (20 cm) of soil.[17][18] They then lap up the insects with their sticky tongues. Nine-banded armadillos have been observed to roll about on ant hills to dislodge and consume the resident ants. They supplement their diets with amphibians and small reptiles, especially in more wintery months when such prey tends to be more sluggish, and occasionally bird eggs and baby mammals. Carrion is also eaten, although perhaps the species is most attracted to the maggots borne by carcasses rather than the meat itself. Less than 10% of the diet of this species is composed by nonanimal matter, though fungi, tubers, fruits, and seeds are occasionally eaten.[19][20]" - Wikipedia: Nine Banded Armadillo

Family: Chlamyphoridae

Pink Fairy Armadillo

"The pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus) is the smallest species of armadillo (mammals of the families Chlamyphoridae and Dasypodidae, recognized by a bony armor shell), first described by Richard Harlan in 1825.[3] This solitary, desert-adapted animal is endemic to central Argentina and can be found inhabiting sandy plains, dunes, and scrubby grasslands."

"The pink fairy armadillo is classified as a fossorial generalist insectivore. Ants and larvae are its main food source while underground. While those are its primary sources of food, the armadillos are known to also eat worms, snails, and various insects. If these insects and invertebrates cannot be found, plant leaves and roots make a good secondary dietary option for their underground lifestyle.[4]" - Wikipedia: Pink Fairy Armadillo

Order: Eulipotyphla 

Family: Erinaceidae

Gymnures 

The Dwarf Gymnure is Critically Endangered

"Gymnures also called hairy hedgehogs or moonrats, are mammals belonging to the subfamily Galericinae, in the family Erinaceidae and the order Eulipotyphla. Gymnures resemble rats but are not closely related as they are not rodents; they are instead closely related to hedgehogs, which also belong to Erinaceidae."

"Gymnures inhabit moist jungle terrain in various locales of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Sumatra, China and the Malay Peninsula." - Wikipedia: Gymnure

Hedgehogs

"There are seventeen species of hedgehog in five genera found throughout parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in New Zealand by introduction." - Wikipedia: Hedgehog

Click the Hedgehogs button to learn more about these animals and how to help them.

Family: Solenodontidae

"Solenodons are one of the few venomous mammals, with venom in their saliva.

There are just two living species of solenodon – the Hispaniolan solenodon and Cuban solenodon – and they are among the top 10 most evolutionarily distinct mammals on Earth. They are the last survivors of a diverse group of ancient insectivores which inhabited the Caribbean and lived alongside dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous from 76 million years ago. Because of this, they can provide insight into ancient mammal phylogeny and physiology.

Solenodons are nocturnal, spending the day hiding in rock clefts, hollow trees or burrows which they dig themselves. Uniquely among all mammals, solenodons subdue their prey by injecting them with venom using their special grooved lower incisors. Their venom allows them to feed outside of their insectivorous diet; letting them subdue frogs, small reptiles or even some rodents.

The population trend of the Cuban solenodon is unknown with no accurate population estimate available. But it is thought to be threatened by deforestation, habitat degradation (logging and mining), and predation by feral cats and dogs." - EDGE of Existance

Family: Soricidae 

Shrews

"True shrews are not to be confused with treeshrews, otter shrews, elephant shrews, West Indies shrews, or marsupial shrews, which belong to different families or orders." - Wikipedia: Shrew

Click the Shrews button to learn more about these animals and how to help them!

Family: Talpidae

The family Talpidae includes the subfamilies New World Moles, Old World Moles, and Asian Shrew Moles

(True) Moles

"The family Talpidae[1] (/ˈtælpɪdiː/) includes the moles (some of whom are called shrew moles and desmans) who are small insectivorous mammals of the order Eulipotyphla. Talpids are all digging animals to various degrees: moles are completely subterranean animals; shrew moles and shrew-like moles somewhat less so; and desmans, while basically aquatic, excavate dry sleeping chambers; whilst the quite unique star-nosed mole is equally adept in the water and underground. Talpids are found across the Northern Hemisphere of Eurasia and North America (although none are found in Ireland nor in the Americas south of northern Mexico), and range as far south as the montane regions of tropical Southeast Asia." - Wikipedia: Talpidae

Order: Macroscelidea

Family: Macroscelididae

Elephant Shrews

"Elephant shrews, also called jumping shrews or sengis, are small insectivorous mammals native to Africa, belonging to the family Macroscelididae, in the order Macroscelidea. Their traditional common English name "elephant shrew" comes from a perceived resemblance between their long noses and the trunk of an elephant, and their superficial similarity with shrews (family Soricidae) in the order Eulipotyphla. However, phylogenetic analysis has revealed that elephant shrews are not properly classified with true shrews, but are in fact more closely related to elephants than to shrews.[4] In 1997, the biologist Jonathan Kingdon proposed that they instead be called "sengis" (singular sengi),[5] a term derived from the Bantu languages of Africa, and in 1998, they were classified into the new clade Afrotheria.[6]

They are widely distributed across the southern part of Africa, and although common nowhere, can be found in almost any type of habitat, from the Namib Desert to boulder-strewn outcrops in South Africa to thick forest. One species, the North African elephant shrew, remains in the semi-arid, mountainous country in the far northwest of Africa. The Somali elephant shrew went unobserved from 1968 to 2020 but was rediscovered by a group of scientists in Djibouti.[7]" - Wikipedia: Elephant Shrew

Black and Rufous Sengi (a.k.a Elephant Shrew)

2:15 minute video of elephant shrews

Order: Notoryctemorphia

Family: Notoryctidae

Marsupial mole

"In an example of convergent evolution, notoryctids resemble (and fill the ecological niche of) moles from North America and Eurasia and golden moles from Southern Africa. Like chrysochlorids and epoicotheres, notoryctids use their forelimbs and enlarged central claws to dig in a parasagittal (i.e., up and down) plane, as opposed to the "lateral scratch" style of digging that characterizes talpid moles.[4][5]"

Order: Pholidota

Family: Manidae

Pangolin

Critically Endangered

"The main habitats are forests and plantations."

"Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and the islands of Borneo, Java, Sumatra and the Lesser Sunda Islands."

"These animals are usually solitary, active at night, and shy. They protect their soft underside by rolling into a ball when they feel threatened."

"The main food of this animal is insects – small insects such as ants and termites."  - Bali Wildlife: Sunda Pangolin

Order: Rodentia

Family: Muridae 

Some rodents are insectivores, including species who primarily eat aquatic insect species or who specialize in consuming earthworms.

One recent discovering includes "a new genus and species of insectivorous water rat from Sulawesi." Sulawesi being an island of Indonesia.

Order: Scandentia

Families: Tupaiidae and Ptilocercidae

Treeshrews

"The treeshrews are small mammals native to the tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia. They make up the entire order Scandentia, which split into two families: the Tupaiidae, and the Ptilocercidae."

Unique Features & Behavior

Size Variation

Insectivores display a significant variation in size. The Etruscan shrew, one of the smallest mammals globally, weighs a mere 2 grams, while certain hedgehog species can weigh up to 1.2 kilograms.

Toxic Saliva

Some shrew species possess toxic saliva, which aids in paralyzing their prey. This not only makes hunting more effective but also allows them to store captured prey for later consumption.

Torus Angularis

This is a unique feature found in the ear bones of many Insectivora species. The Torus Angularis is thought to assist in hearing, particularly in noisy environments or when discerning the subtle sounds of underground prey.

Echolocation Abilities

Some shrews, like the Southeast Asian house shrew, have been observed to use echolocation, similar to bats, to navigate and hunt in their environments.

Unique Sensory Structures

The star-nosed mole, native to North America, has a distinct star-shaped set of tentacles on its snout that is incredibly sensitive. It aids the mole in detecting prey as it forages underground.

Defense Mechanisms

Hedgehogs are known for their quills, which are modified hairs. When threatened, hedgehogs can roll into a tight ball, presenting these sharp quills outward as a deterrent to predators.

Specialized Diet

Many Insectivora species have a diet highly specialized in insects, worms, and other small invertebrates. Their keen senses and physical adaptations, like elongated snouts, allow them to efficiently detect and consume these prey.

Human Impact & Current Threats

Habitat Destruction

One of the primary threats to Insectivora species is habitat loss. Urbanization, agricultural expansion, and deforestation have resulted in many species losing their natural habitats, leading to fragmented populations and reduced genetic diversity.

Pesticide Use

As insect-eaters, Insectivora are particularly susceptible to the effects of pesticides. These chemicals, used in agricultural areas to control pest populations, often end up in the prey that Insectivora consume, leading to bioaccumulation of toxins, which can be fatal.

Introduced Species

In places where non-native species have been introduced, they can often outcompete or prey upon native Insectivora. For instance, the introduction of non-native species in certain parts of Australia has led to competition for resources and habitat with the local fauna.

Vehicle Collisions

Especially for species like hedgehogs in urban or suburban areas, roads pose a significant threat. Many individuals face injury or death due to vehicle collisions as they attempt to navigate fragmented habitats.

Climate Change

Changing climate patterns can affect the availability of prey and suitable habitats for Insectivora species. It may also exacerbate the spread of diseases or allow invasive species to establish in new areas, further threatening native populations.

Pollution

Water pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial waste, or sewage can have a detrimental impact on aquatic insects, which in turn affects the diet of many Insectivora species.

Population Trends & Habitat Change

Many species within the Insectivora family have seen a decline in their populations due to the combined effects of habitat loss, pollution, and human interference. Their natural habitats have either shrunk, become fragmented, or have seen a change in composition, affecting their survival and reproductive success.

Poaching

"Sunda pangolins are hunted for their skin, scales, and meat, used in the manufacture of clothing and traditional medicine." - Bali Wildlife: Sunda Pangolin

It's imperative to understand these threats and address them not only for the survival of Insectivora but for the health of our ecosystems. Their decline could have cascading effects on other species and the environment at large.

Conservation Starts at Home

Around the world, in regions stretching from the Americas to Europe, Asia, and Africa, small changes in our immediate surroundings can offer sanctuaries to the Insectivora family. Transitioning from traditional lawn-centric perspectives to eco-conscious practices, we can create nurturing habitats in our backyards, courtyards, and even balconies.

The Downside of Traditional Lawns

Green carpets of manicured lawns, though a common sight in many urban landscapes globally, can be ecological voids. By consuming excessive water, demanding regular mowing, and often being treated with chemicals, they deprive Insectivora of their primary food sources: insects.

Ways to Make Your Space Wildlife-Friendly

Supporting Insectivora through Native Plantings

Every continent boasts a plethora of local plants that support a diverse insect life:

Reducing Harmful Impacts

With a global approach, everyone can play a role in preserving and supporting the ecosystems that Insectivora, among other species, depend upon.

Broad Conservation Initiatives

As we strive to protect the delicate web of life on Earth, addressing larger conservation issues benefits not just the Insectivora family, but the entirety of our planet's ecosystems. Understanding and combatting the broader challenges is crucial in our journey toward a sustainable future.


Climate Change Mitigation Efforts

One of the most pressing challenges of our time, climate change threatens species across the globe, including members of the Insectivora family. As habitats shift and food sources become unpredictable:

Habitat Preservation and Restoration

As habitats face degradation, the species dependent on them suffer. Addressing this requires both reactive and proactive measures:


Reduction of Pollutants and Harmful Practices

Toxins and pollutants can upset the delicate balance of nature:


Broad conservation methods, while vast in scale, resonate in the microcosm of every habitat and species. Embracing these strategies helps ensure the survival and flourishing of the Insectivora family, while also benefiting the myriad of creatures that share our world.

Actionable Steps

Making a difference starts at an individual level. By focusing on our immediate environments and advocating for broader changes, we can create habitats that favor Insectivora and uphold ecological balance.

Local Impact

Community Engagement

Support Larger Efforts

Cute Elephant Shrew Becomes a Zoo's Superstar | Nature Bites

9:34 minute video talks dives into the breeding program for elephant shrews (a cousin of elephants and aardvarks!) since the African grasslands where they live are under threat, pushing these little creatures towards extinction

Resources

Africa

Namibia

Citizen Science Opportunities

Citizen Science is one of the most engaging ways the average person (even kids!) can get involved with the scientific world, even without an expensive degree and usually without any expensive equipment.

The suggestions below may only include a smart phone or a camera and internet access.

UK

Organizations

Europe

UK

Maps

Africa

South Africa

Asia


Thailand

North America

Canada

Cuba

Hispañola 

Mexico

USA

Oceana

Australia