The cheek teeth of many are dilambdodont , and even those with more derived molariform teeth tend to have cusps that can easily be identified according to the tribosphenic pattern. The eyes are usually very small, the feet are plantigrade and have five digits, and neither the hallux or pollex is opposable. Many of the traits used to define Insectivora are probably primitive for mammals. Members of the order are found through much of the world. They are missing from Australia and all but the northernmost part of South America.
Most species eat invertebrates.
Tenrecidae Chrysochloridae Soricidae Literature and references cited Vaughan, T. A. 1986. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. Yates, T. L. 1984. Insectivores, elephant shrews, tree shrews, and dermopterans. Orders and Families of Recent Mammals of the World.