Best time to see: all year
Key facts
Largest and most aquatic of our shrews
Habitat: normally close to slow-moving or still water: streams, ponds, ditches
Widespread across Britain and most of Europe
Recognition
Black upperside with white or greyish-white underparts; body up to 10 cm and tail almost as long again
Leaps up and dives to catch prey under water, staying down for up to 20 seconds
Feeds on insects and their larvae, molluscs, small fish, sometimes frogs and small mammals
Lifecycle
Well-made nest of grasses, usually underground in dense cover
Usually 2 litters of 3–10 young
Short-lived – less than 2 years
© David Corke