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OK THE LIFE SPAN OF THE COMMON SHREW (SOBEX ARANEUS L.)
Author(s) -
CROWCROFT PETER
Publication year - 1956
Publication title -
proceedings of the zoological society of london
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0370-2774
DOI - 10.1111/j.1096-3642.1956.tb00472.x
Subject(s) - araneus , sorex , shrew , breed , biology , life span , zoology , population , insectivora , demography , evolutionary biology , sociology
SUMMARY1 Common Shrews ( Sorex araneus L .) were caught in Wytham Estate, Berkshire, from August 1949 until November 1951. The animals were weighed and measured and the lower canine teeth were measured to provide an index of age. 2 The dimensions and reproductive condition of successive samples provide evidence that the Common Shrew does not normally breed in the year of birth, and dies before the end of the following year. 3 The complete annual turnover of the Common Shrew population is confirmed by comparing the tooth wear of mature and immature animals. Individuals caught during the winter are neither sexually mature, nor do they have teeth as worn as those of mature animals.