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Insectivora - shrews, moles, hedgehogs

Hairy-tailed MoleThere are about 375 species in this order. Most insectivores are small and eat insects, although many species eat worms, crustaceans, and small vertebrates. Insectivores have long, pointed snouts; lots of sharp teeth; small ears; and small eyes. They are found all over the world, except for the polar regions and Australia. They live in a variety of habitats. Some species, like moles, live underground. Some species, like hedgehogs and some tenrecs have a spiny coat. The smallest mammal living today, the pygmy shrew, is a member of this order. The animals in this order are the most primitive living mammals and scientists think that all mammals evolved from the ancestors of this order.

  Families

  Chrysochloridae (golden moles)
  Erinaceidae (gymnures, hedgehogs)
  Nesophontidae (west indies shrews)
  Solenodontidae (solenodons)

  Soricidae (shrews)
  Talpidae (desmans, moles)
  Tenrecidae (tenrecs)

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