SPECIES OF MAMMALS OF THE PACIFIC AREA 



41 



ponds. It feeds largely on cockroaches and other insects that 

 frequent houses, but it also eats some of the food intended for 

 human consumption. When cornered it bites fiercely. Cats 

 frequently kill musk shrews although they do not eat them. 



Fig. 17 — Large Mush Shrew 



The Asiatic Water Shrews (Chimarrogale) occur in the 

 mountains of Japan, Borneo, and Sumatra. Their teeth are 

 white, unlike those of the American water shrews. The toes 

 of their large hind feet are fringed with stiff hairs and their 

 fur is like long-piled velvet, coarser but more silky than that of 

 land shrews. They are grayish or brownish black above and 

 white below, and are among the largest shrews — about eight 

 inches in total length, the tail about three inches. The body is 

 heavier than that of the house shrew, which has similar dimen- 

 sions. Water shrews usually live in swift streams ; they are said 

 to walk along the bottom feeding on the water insects and 

 probably also on fish and amphibians. The entrances of their 

 burrows are usually under water. 



Moles and Their Allies. Family Talpid^ 



Most members of this family make burrows and live under 

 ground. The fur is short and velvet-like, the front feet broad, 



