# Neomys mining

**Water Shrew / Vattennäbbmus / Eurasian Water Shrew**

The Eurasian water shrew (*Neomys fodiens*) is a highly specialized, semi-aquatic mammal that inhabits undisturbed, oxygen-rich streams in the boreal zone. Equipped with dense insulating fur and swimming bristles, it is an excellent diver.

As one of the few venomous mammals in Europe, it uses toxic saliva to paralyze even defensive prey. Its presence in Scandinavian water systems is considered a sensitive bioindicator of excellent water quality and structural diversity.

## FAQs

- **How is the Eurasian water shrew adapted to a semi-aquatic life in Scandinavian waters?**: It possesses a keel of stiff bristles on the underside of its tail that acts as a rudder, along with fringes of hair on its hind paws that increase the swimming surface. Its dense, water-repellent fur traps air bubbles, providing insulation in the freezing waters of boreal streams and giving it strong buoyancy.
- **Is it true that the bite of the Eurasian water shrew is venomous?**: Yes, *Neomys fodiens* is one of the few venomous mammals in Europe. Its saliva contains a paralyzing toxin that is massaged into prey (such as frogs, small fish, or large crustaceans) via grooves in its incisors. This allows it to overpower prey larger than itself and cache it as a living food supply ('hoarding').


## Weitere Informationen

- Illustration: Neomys digging
- Nature, Taiga & Waters of Västerbotten
- Native to Northern Sweden