Why Do Tiny Shrews Have to Eat Almost All Day?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do tiny shrews have to eat almost all day?

The Big Idea

Tiny shrews eat almost all day because their little bodies burn energy super fast! A shrew is one of the smallest mammals, with a pointy nose and tiny eyes. Small bodies lose heat fast, so shrews need lots of fuel.

Tiny Body

Step one: lose heat fast. A shrew is one of the smallest mammals. Small bodies lose heat quickly, so a shrew needs to make a lot of its own.

Racing Heart

Step two: race the heart. A shrew's heart can beat up to about a thousand times a minute. It burns energy very quickly, like a car that is always revving.

Eat Often

Step three: keep eating. To keep going, a shrew eats insects and worms every few hours, day and night. In one day it may eat about its own weight in food.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! A shrew can be smaller than your thumb. Its heart races at a super speed. It hunts insects and worms in the leaf litter. And it eats many small meals around the clock.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Shrews can run out of energy in just a few hours without food. They are not mice, but tiny mammals with long, pointed snouts, and they are related to moles. A shrew's heart beats far faster than yours. Watch small wild animals from far away.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Count your pulse for one minute by feeling your wrist, and write the number. A shrew's heart beats about ten times faster. Multiply your number by ten. Who would be hungrier?

Outro

Shrews are tiny energy machines that need lots of food. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!