Hero shrew
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| Hero shrew[1] Temporal range: Recent
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| Genus: | Scutisorex Thomas, 1913
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| Species: | S. somereni
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| Binomial name | |
| Scutisorex somereni (Thomas, 1910)
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| Armored shrew range | |
The armored shrew (Scutisorex somereni), also known as the hero shrew, is a large shrew native to Africa, which has a highly unusual spinal column. Its corrugated interlocking vertebrae are quite different from those found in other shrews, or in fact, in any other type of mammal. The modifications in the shrew's backbone are remarkable.[3] Its 11 lumbar vertebrae sport interlocking spines on their sides and lower surfaces. These spines mesh with the projections on the vertebrae behind and in front, creating an incredibly strong, yet flexible structure. The spine is so elaborate that it accounts of 4% of the shrew's body weight. In other small mammals the spine only accounts for 0.5–1.6% of the overall mass. The modifications to this small animal's body haven't stopped at the spine. The ribs are much thicker than those of similarly sized mammals and the spinal muscles have undergone some radical changes. The transverse muscles are reduced, while the muscles that extend and flex the spine are well developed, which results in the shrew's peculiar gait with the spine flexing in a snake-like manner. The hero shrew feeds on insects, snails, worms and small lizards.
The hero shrew's unique anatomy allows it to bear the weight of a 160 lb (73 kg) human without harm.[4]
References
- ^ Hutterer, R. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 257. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Kerbis Peterhans, J. (2008). Scutisorex somereni. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2.
- ^ Piper, Ross (2007), Extraordinary Animals: An Encyclopedia of Curious and Unusual Animals, Greenwood Press ISBN 0313339228.
- ^ Allen, JA. (1917). "The skeletal characters of Scutisorex somereni". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 28: 769–784.
External links
- http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mammal/hero.shtml
- http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Scutisorex_somereni.html
- The Hero Shrew!
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