INSECT EATERS (Order EULIPOTYPHLA)

• most primitive of placental mammals
• small brain
• not many wrinkles
• primitive teeth
• primitive characteristics of auditory bones and collar bones
• plantigrade

In South Africa, Insectivores are divided into 3 types of species:

1. the SHREWS
2. the HEDGEHOGS
3. the GOLDEN MOLES

THE SHREWS (15 species in South Africa) 

Characteristics:

• small secretive mammals
• long pointed narrow muzzles
• small eyes; poor vision
• acute sense of smell and hearing
• musk gland
• born with their final set of teeth; the fisrt set are shed or reabsorbed in embryonic stage.
• ecologically important because they break down animal tissues and raw materials returned to soil.

THE HEDGEHOGS (only 1 South African species)

Characteristics:

• they have spines
• ears and eyes are well-developed
• long snout has a mobile tip
• powerful legs and strong claws
• the base of each spine has a small muscle that functions of pulling the spine erect when threatened. Curling up into a ball
• eat earthworms, beetles, earwings, slug, millipedes, centipedes, dead animals, eggs, young chicks
• hibernation

THE GOLDEN MOLES (15 South African species)

Characteristics:

• solitary and burrow for food
• strong limbs and strong claws
• not tail, eyes also almost inexistent
• ear and eyes openings are covered with fur. Nostrils shielded by leathering pad.
• very sensitive to vibration in the soil
• eat earthworms, larvae, slugs, snails, crickets, spiders.