Project to protect water shrews

Water shrews paralyse their prey with poisonous saliva

A conservation project in Kent is giving people the chance to learn more about water shrews.

The Wildwood Trust near Canterbury hopes its efforts will help raise awareness about the largest - and rarest - species of British shrew.

Chief executive Peter Smith said he hoped to highlight the animal's plight.

"Water shrews are the UK's rarest shrew and, due to their secretive lifestyle, little is known of the dangers facing them," he said.

"In some areas, water shrew numbers have been devastated by the draining of waterways and pollution, so we must have stronger laws to protect wildlife habitats."

Water shrews are known for two unusual traits relating to their eating habits.

The shrews' salivary glands contain a poison which they use to stun larger prey, such as fish and frogs.

They also have pointed teeth which are covered in a red iron deposit that enables them to crunch through the outer casings of snails and freshwater shrimps.