It will also take small vertebrates like mice, small snakes and small birds. Some plant material is also consumed. They appear fond of an underground fungus, endogone. They have been known to cache sunflower seeds in captivity. But these nervous high-energy creatures are not suited to captivity.
Shrews have the highest metabolism of any mammal in North America.
Their heart rate has been measured at more than 700 beats per minute, and shrews in captivity have been known to die from the shock of loud noises. This high metabolism is one thing that makes them such fierce predators. They normally consume from half to twice their body weight in food each day. While most of these burrows are just beneath ground, some may reach a depth of 20 inches. The short-tailed shrew has tiny eyes and very poor vision.