Shrews — Small Insectivores with Polyphasic Patterns

Abstract

Daily activity patterns of shrews are controlled by metabolic requirements commensurate with their diminutive body mass and resultant high surfaceto-mass ratios: they must forage often to avoid exhaustion of their energy stores. To remain homeothermic, shrews must partition a 24-h period into multiple bouts of foraging, rest, and sleep.