The family Soricidae comprises the true shrews, a diverse group of small, insectivorous mammals found throughout much of the world, except for Australia and most of South America. Members of this family are characterized by their small size, pointed snouts, tiny eyes, and high metabolic rates, which require them to feed almost constantly on insects, worms, and other invertebrates. Shrews possess sharp, often red-tipped teeth adapted for a carnivorous diet, and many species have specialized sensory adaptations, such as echolocation or sensitive whiskers, to navigate and hunt in low-light environments. They inhabit a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, and human-modified landscapes, and play important ecological roles as predators of invertebrates. Despite their diminutive size, some shrews exhibit aggressive behavior and have complex social and reproductive behaviors.