What makes the armoured shrew’s backbone unusually strong and flexible?

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water shrew — shrew Water shrew (*Neomys anomalus*).

The armoured shrew (Scutisorex somereni) possesses a uniquely robust and flexible backbone due to its specialized anatomical structure. Unlike other mammals, this species features additional and enlarged lumbar vertebrae that are interlocked by numerous bony spines. This extraordinary skeletal adaptation allows the shrew to support significant weight, reportedly even that of a person.1