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11. A Contribution to the Biology of the Common Shrew, Sorex araneus Linnæus
Author(s) -
Middleton A. D.
Publication year - 1931
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.1469-7998.1931.tb06191.x
Subject(s) - sorex , shrew , araneus , biology , breed , seasonal breeder , sexual maturity , litter , zoology , habitat , ecology
Summary. Trapping and routine examinations carried out in the Oxford district between February 1926 and August 1927, show that:1 Sores arameus is found in a wide range of habitats, varying from pure grass‐land to dense conifer woods. 2 The breeding‐season is from May to August, and no pregnant females are found outside this period. It is uncertain whether the females have more than one litter during a breeding‐season. 3 It is suggested from the evidence available that neither male nor female shrews become sexually mature and breed during the year of their birth. 4 It appears that the young shrews reach a certain immature stage of growth by the late autumn of the year of their birth, and remain in that condition throughout the winter months. In the spring a marked increase in size takes place, and sexual maturity is reached.