The Order Insectivora (now often divided into several modern orders, such as Eulipotyphla) traditionally includes small, primarily insect-eating mammals like moles, shrews, and hedgehogs. Members of this order are characterized by pointed snouts, sharp teeth, and strong claws adapted for digging or capturing insects. They are generally small-bodied, with high metabolic rates, and are found in a variety of habitats including forests, grasslands, and underground burrows. Insectivores play an important ecological role by controlling insect populations and aerating soil through their burrowing activities.