Shrews: Soricidae

Since they are small, usually active only at night, and like to hide, shrews avoid human attention most of the time. They do, however, play an important role for farmers and gardeners, who have fewer destructive insects in the crops, thanks to the shrews' appetites. Shrews have cultural significance, as well. For example, Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew is a classic tale, and people in Taiwan consider a shrew to be a symbol of good luck. On very rare occasions, shrews have bitten people. If the shrew is venomous, this can be quite painful.