Shrews, Moles and Hedgehogs
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of more than 130 shrew, mole and hedgehog specimens (Eulipotyphla). They are from 1895 to 1997.
This collection contains the mounted specimens, skins and skeletons of around 90 shrews, representing four species, 30 moles and 12 hedgehogs. In total six species are represented in the collection. Some of these specimens are preserved in spirit. The moles include some specimens of ‘white moles’. These are leucistic examples, which means the animals have reduced pigment in their hair but are not true albinos. Almost all the specimens are from Scotland, although there is a hedgehog from Cumberland and two white-toothed shrews from France.
About shrews, moles and hedgehogs
Shrews, moles and hedgehogs are small animals with long narrow pointed and usually mobile snouts. They feed on invertebrates, mainly insects and earthworms. There are over 450 species worldwide.
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