Hero shrew

Species of shrew

The hero shrew (Scutisorex somereni), also known as the armored shrew, is a large shrew native to the Congo Basin of Africa. Its features are typical of a white toothed shrew − short legs, slender snout, dense fur − except for a highly unusual spinal column. It has corrugated interlocking vertebrae that are unique among mammals except for its sister species, Thor's hero shrew. This unique adaptation allows the animal to bear a huge amount of weight on its back − according to an expedition team. The hero shrew lives in both lowland and mountain forests. They live in the undergrowth, feeding primarily on invertebrates. The evolutionary benefit of its unusual spine is unknown; it is hypothesized that it allows the animal to push itself under logs or between a palm tree's leaves and trunk to find food. Local tribes of people believe the hero shrew holds magical powers. It is classified as Least Concern by IUCN.

Externally, the hero shrew resembles a typical large shrew. It has short legs, a slender snout, and small eyes. It has dense, coarse fur that is gray in color. It has two types of fur; some hair strands provide sensory functions while other produce scent. The hero shrew aggressively marks its territory, contorting its body to mark objects with its scent. It is thought that the odor repels other members of its species. The chemical it emits can discolor its fur yellow. The hero shrew lives in the forest undergrowth in sparsely populated areas, which leads to it rarely being seen by humans. It is primarily an insectivore, but will eat small amphibians and lizards in the wild, and bird and mammal meat in captivity. A fully grown hero shrew's body is in length with a tail of It does not exhibit sexual dimorphism. The breeding habits of the hero shrew have not been observed. The combination of animal's vertebral strength and its convex curvature behind the shoulder kept its vital organs from being crushed in the demonstration. In 1974, Jonathan Kingdon suggested that the robust spine and associated posture keeps the animal's body clear of wet ground in swampy habitats. Scientist Kristofer Helgen called the new theory "the first compelling explanation for the adaptive significance of the unusual spine." The name "hero shrew" stems from the local Mangbetu name for the animal.