#0040 · 🦊 mammals

Eurasian Water Shrew

🇳🇱 Waterspitsmuis ·Neomys fodiens

LCleast concern 🦊 Mammals 📍 in the Netherlands

10 photos from iNaturalist (Creative Commons) · credits & licences

what is it?

The Eurasian water shrew ( Neomys fodiens ), known in the United Kingdom as the water shrew , is a relatively large shrew, up to 10 cm (4 in) long, with a tail up to three-quarters as long again. It has short, dark fur, often with a few white tufts, a white belly, and a few stiff hairs around the feet and tail. It lives close to fresh water, hunting aquatic prey in the water and nearby.

base stats

NL sightings 16iNaturalist, research grade
worldwide 1,239iNaturalist observations
threat LCleast concern

Bars compare against all animals on log scales: up to 300,000 Dutch and 600,000 worldwide sightings (the most-seen species), 150 t (blue whale), 30 m and 400 years (Greenland shark).

fun facts

Spotted 16 times in the Netherlands on iNaturalist: the #40 most seen of the mammals in NL.
1,239 observations worldwide on iNaturalist.
Scientifically named by Thomas Pennant in 1771 (255 years ago).