News Animals

Here’s why a hero shrew has the sturdiest spine of any mammal

Dense vertebrae add strength to the little mammal’s unyielding spine

hero shrew

A hero shrew (Scutisorex), like this one found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is tiny but mighty thanks to its uniquely strong backbone.

Julian Kerbis Peterhans

By Jake Buehler

- More than 2 years ago

At first glance, hero shrews don’t appear to live up to their name.