Laurie Hom, age 11, of Portland, Ore., for her question:

WHAT IS A SHREW?

The shrew is the smallest mammal in the world, but what he lacks in size he makes up in energy and constant activity. Related to the mole, the tiny shrew is a burrower, with a long pointed head, pinhead eyes and rounded ears that are almost hidden in his soft fur. He lives just below the surface of the ground, and his enormous appetite is mainly satisfied with insects and larvae which he finds under leaves and rotting vegetation. Often consuming his own weight every three hours, the shrew is loaded with energy, always on the move, all year round, day and night.

The shrew has two or three families a year, but litters born in early spring have the best chance of surviving.  Life can be a dangerous challenge to the little shrew, for his enemies include the hawks, owls, snakes, weasels, cats, foxes and fish., All these predators will kill the shrew on sight but, strangely enough, they usually won't eat him. Seems he secretes a strong odor which most animals cannot stand to be around for long.