The feeding ecology of the European Water shrew

This review examines our knowledge of the feeding ecology of the European Water shrew, Neomys fodiens. It describes and discusses the different methods which have been used to study the diets of Water shrews, from the first casual observations to the discovery of food caches and food remains in the wild, and the analysis of stomach contents and faecal pellets of trapped animals. These studies have revealed that Water shrews feed on a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate prey from tiny freshwater dip‐teran larvae to sizable fish and frogs. Although aquatic prey are seen to be the major dietary component in most studies, terrestrial prey are also important and may be eaten in an equal proportion. Laboratory studies have increased our knowledge of the foraging behaviour of Water shrews but there is still much to be learnt, especially about underwater prey location.