Shrew Sighting!

Northern short-tailed shrews may be tiny, but they’re remarkable survivors. They have one of the fastest metabolisms of any mammal and must eat almost constantly, feeding mostly on insects, worms, and other small animals. In winter, however, they’re highly opportunistic. Beneath the bird feeders, spilled seeds can serve as an emergency food source when calories are scarce.

Fun fact: northern short-tailed shrews are one of the few venomous mammals in North America, using toxic saliva to subdue prey and store it for later.