Territory

The water shrew usually lives alone and each one occupies a territory which it fiercely defends from other shrews. Fighting is common and shrill squeals can sometimes be heard as a territorial dispute takes place. Each shrew digs a shallow burrow system, sometimes in a bank with a tunnel leading to a nest chamber, which is lined with a ball of grass, roots and moss. The burrow system may have an underwater entrance.

Although the water shrew, as its name implies, tends to be found in watery habitats - it particularly likes watercress beds - it often lives away from water. Some live on stony beaches, probably feeding on sandhoppers and flies along the high tide line. Others may be found in farmland, woods and hedgerows.