Scutisorex somereni (Thomas, 1910)

Armored shrew

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) external link Showing: scientific names

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Scutisorex somereni (Thomas, 1910)

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Scutisorex somereni (Thomas, 1910)

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General Description

Spinal column has strength and flexibility: armored shrew

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©2008-2009, The Biomimicry Institute. Some rights reserved external link
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The Biomimicry Institute
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The spine of armored shrews is remarkable strong yet flexible, due to interlocking vertebral spines located laterally, dorsally, and ventrally on the spinal column.

     
  "Armored shrews (Scutisorex somereni) have a unique skeletal feature. Interlocking lateral, dorsal, and ventral vertebral spines create an exceptionally sturdy vertebral column. Despite this feature, these shrews still have considerable flexibility and can bend dorsoventrally and laterally." (Fowler and Miller 2003:304)
  Learn more about this functional adaptation.
References
  • Fowler, ME; Miller, RE. 2003. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.
"Scutisorex somereni (Thomas, 1910)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/1178912". Accessed 18 Mar 2010.