Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which shrews have toxic saliva?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
shrew
Water shrew (Neomys anomalus).
Among the more than 350 species of shrews, only a few are known to produce toxic saliva. This adaptation is used to help immobilize their prey.
The shrews identified as having toxic saliva include:
- North American short-tailed shrews (genus Blarina)1
- Old World water shrews (genus Neomys)1