The shrew is neither a mouse, nor is it a rodent. Shrews are more closely related to the mole and weasel. They are mammals and insectivores, eating a wide assortment of insects in adult and larvae form plus a lot more. The shrew has the highest rate of metabolism of any known vertebrate. It is said it must consume up to 3 times its weight each day to survive and must still eat more to put on enough fat to survive the winter.
Shrews have a a toxin in their salivary glands that enable it to subdue larger prey than themselves.
Salamanders, small snakes, frogs and even mice are possible prey at times. This is impressive, given the size of the shrew. The Shrew will have around 3 litters per year with the average size of 6 pups per litter. Mating occurs mostly in warmer weather and most pups are born before Sept 15th. A shrew will typically live for a year or two but because it is also food for other predators it will rarely reach its 3rd birthday.