Dead Shrews on the road: Discarded by Mammalian Predators?

Abstract

Many early naturalists suggested that weasels (Mustela spp.) discard shrews after they are captured.1,2 This behaviour has been mentioned in many treatises on shrews and other mammals.3-6 Contrary observations abound5,7-9, however, and shrews have been recorded among the prey remains of some raptorial birds10, and also canid11,12 and other mustelid mammals.5,13 The idea that weasels in particular do not eat shrews has focused on glands that produce an odiferous substance that apparently renders shrews distasteful.