Mole Vs. Shrew
Moles and shrews are both mammals falling in the order insectivore, while each is of its own family within the taxonomy charts. Consuming primarily insects the small animals have a basic resemblance to each other but exhibit some major structural and behavioral differences. There are seven species of moles and 34 species of shrews native to North America.
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Size
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Shrews are smaller than moles. For example, the hairy-tailed mole, the smallest of the species, is about 5 inches long and weighs up to 2 ounces. The masked shrew, considered one of the smallest of the species, grows no longer than 2 and a half inches and weighs less than a quarter ounce. The pygmy shrew is similar in length but weighs about half as much as the masked shrew. A subspecies of the pygmy shrew found in the southern Appalachian Mountains is less than 2 inches in length and weighs less than the equivalent of an American dime.
Appearance
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Moles are better equipped for digging than shrews, with large front feet and legs equipped with long-claws. Shrews have smaller front feet similar in size to their back feet. The teeth of the mole are entirely white while the teeth of the shrew have a brown tip to them. Both families have species with longer and shorter tails and other specific physical characteristics. Both moles and shrews have poor eyesight with a long nose or snout. The snout has an excellent sense of feel and is used to detect food.
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Life Cycle
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Moles can live to an age of up to 5 years while shrews generally live one year or, in some species, even less. Shrews reach sexual maturity at about two months and commonly produce three litters per year. Moles reach sexual maturity at about 10 months of age and usually produce one litter per year. A second litter is possible under ideal circumstances.
Diet
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Both moles and shrews consume insects. The smaller shrews often consume insect eggs and immature insects. Shrews have an extremely high metabolism and can consume as much as their own body weight in insects each day. Moles can consume about a third of their body weight each day.
Reproduction
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Gestation for moles is about 45 days with litters of three to seven young born in May each year. The young are independent of the mother after about four weeks. Shrews have a gestation period of about 22 days and give birth to an average litter size of six, multiple times during the year. The young are independent at about four weeks of age.
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