What is "water shrew"

Water shrew \Wa"ter shrew`\ (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of shrews having fringed feet and capable of swimming actively. The two common European species ( Crossopus fodiens, and Crossopus ciliatus) are the best known. The most common American water shrew, or marsh shrew ( Neosorex palustris), is rarely seen, owing to its nocturnal habits.

n. Any of the small insectivores of the genus (taxlink Neomys genus noshow=1) in the Soricidae family.

n. any of several small semiaquatic shrews usually living near swift-flowing streams

Water shrew may refer to any of several species of semi-aquatic red-toothed shrews:

• Asiatic water shrews ( Chimarrogale spp.)
  • Malayan water shrew (C. hantu)
  • Himalayan water shrew (C. himalayica)
  • Sunda water shrew (C. phaeura)
  • Japanese water shrew (C. platycephala)
  • Chinese water shrew (C. styani)
  • Sumatran water shrew (C. sumatrana)
• Nectogale
  • Elegant water shrew (N. elegans)
• Neomys
  • Mediterranean water shrew (N. anomalus)
  • Eurasian water shrew (N. fodiens)
  • Transcaucasian water shrew (N. teres)
• Sorex:
  • Glacier Bay water shrew (S. alaskanus)
  • American water shrew (S. palustris)
  • Pacific water shrew or Marsh shrew (S. bendirii)