The family Soricidae consists of small mammals commonly known as shrews. They are characterized by their elongated snouts, small eyes, and a high metabolic rate. Shrews are found in various habitats, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and are distributed across many parts of the world, except for Australia and some oceanic islands. Shrews primarily feed on insects, worms, and other small invertebrates. They play an important role in ecosystems by controlling insect populations. Some species, like the European water shrew, are semi-aquatic, while others, such as the Northern short-tailed shrew, are more terrestrial.