Pygmy Shrew Worksheets

Sep 30, 2026

Reading passages and multiple-choice questions explore pygmy shrews’ physical traits, habitat across Europe, North America, and Asia, diet of insects and other invertebrates, and unusually high daily food intake. The activities assess life cycle timing, behaviors such as limited sleep, defense mechanisms including sharp teeth and venomous saliva, and distinguish facts from opinions. Additional items judge whether sample animal statements fit the article and verify true/false knowledge using provided choices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Questions and Answers

Multiple-choice reading comprehension

W or N animal speech判断

Fact or opinion判断

True or false判断

Expanded form for contraction选择题

Just like magic, the pygmy shrew zips through the underbrush, barely visible to the naked eye. These tiny creatures are the smallest mammals known to us, weighing less than a dime and being only about the size of your thumb. Their fur is a soft, velvety brown color, which helps them blend in with their surroundings. They have a pointy snout, tiny eyes, and ears that are almost hidden by their fur. Remember how we said they're excellent at blending in? Well, that's because they live in places like fields, forests, and gardens all around Europe, North America, and Asia. In their little homes, they feast on a buffet of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. In fact, they eat so much that they need to consume 2 to 3 times their body weight in food each day! Now, imagine eating that much, you'd probably be very sleepy, right? Well, pygmy shrews don't have much time for sleep, they're too busy living their life cycle. They're born in the spring, grow quickly, and by summer, they're ready to have little shrews of their own. Despite their small size, they're fearless, using their sharp teeth to defend themselves from threats. Speaking of threats, did you know that pygmy shrews have a special trick? Their saliva is venomous, which helps them to paralyze their prey and defend against predators. This makes them different from other shrew species, which can't do this. So, next time you're exploring the great outdoors, remember to respect these small but mighty creatures. Solve each problem. Use the article to answer the question. 1) What do pygmy shrews eat? A. Fish and birds B. Seeds and nuts C. Insects, spiders, and small D. Leaves and berries invertebrates 2) Which is a place pygmy shrews might live? A. Deserts and dunes B. Mountains and caves C. Beaches and oceans D. Fields and forests 3) What is special about a pygmy shrew's saliva? A. It's always cold B. It's venomous C. It's colorless D. It's sweet 4) When are pygmy shrews ready to have babies? A. As soon as they're born B. After just a year C. One season after being born D. One week after being born 5) When are pygmy shrews generally born? A. In the summer B. In the winter C. In the spring D. In the fall 6) What is interesting about how much pygmy shrews eat? A. They eat half their body weight per day. B. They eat up to three times their body weight each day. C. They eat their body weight in food a day. D. They go weeks without eating. 7) What sets pygmy shrews apart from other shrew species? A. Their color B. Their saliva C. Their diet D. Their size 8) What color is the fur of a pygmy shrew? A. Brown B. Black C. Gray D. White 9) How do pygmy shrews defend themselves? A. Through camouflage B. By releasing a foul smell C. With their strong muscles D. Using their sharp teeth 10) How big is a pygmy shrew? A. The size of a cat B. The size of a hand C. As big as a mouse D. The size of your thumb Determine if the statements is something the animal would say (W) or it it is not something the animal would say (N). 11) "My fur changes color based on the seasons, just like a chameleon. " 12) "I survive on an all-insect diet, including spiders and other tiny creepy crawlies. " 13) "Now, let me tell you, we pygmy shrews eat 2 to 3 times our body weight in food every day, that's a lot!" 14) "My saliva can paralyze my prey and protect me from predators. " 15) "We prefer to hang out in the desert, it's nice and warm. " |
Reading | [www.CommonCoreSheets.com Page 2 of 5](www.CommonCoreSheets.com Page 2 of 5) | 1-10
11-20 | 98 | 96 | 94 | 92 | 91 | 89 | 87 | 85 | 83 | 81 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | 79 | 77 | 75 | 74 | 72 | 70 | 68 | 66 | 64 | 62 | 16) "We love long sleeps, especially after a big meal. " 17) "I don't really like to eat much, just a little bite now and then. " 18) "We barely eat, don't need much food to survive. "

FAQs

What do pygmy shrews eat according to the passage?

They eat insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates.

What is special about a pygmy shrew’s saliva?

Their saliva is venomous, which helps paralyze prey and defend against predators.

When are pygmy shrews generally born and ready to have babies?

They are generally born in spring, and by summer they are ready to have little shrews of their own.

Sep 30, 2026

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