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03 Apr 2026

Call to report sightings of unwanted mouse-like creature in Kildare

Reporter:

Senan Hogan

19 Mar 2019 10:07 AM

Photo: Ruth Carden
Wildlife experts in Kildare have asked people to report sightings of the of a new invasive species - the Greater White Toothed Shrew.
It's believed that the Shrew came into Ireland in imported hay bales from France over 10 years ago.
Experts warned that the animal can infest a house.
Sightings have been reported in Naas, Nurney, Ballyteague, Duneany and Lullymore.
Wild Kildare group said the Greater White Toothed Shrew is a major threat to the native Pygmy Shrew.
The Wild Kildare group helps to promote, enhance and protect the wildlife and biodiversity of Co Kildare.
Paddy Sheridan of Wild Kildare said this Animal is on the 10 most Invasive Species in Ireland list compiled by the National Biodiversity Data Centre for a few reasons.
They have the potential to reproduce and spread rapidly. Since its arrival it has spread across counties Tipperary, Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Laois and Offaly, and has even crossed the River Shannon into County Clare.
Where it encounters Ireland's smallest Mammal, the Native Pygmy Shrew it out competes it for food such as large Insects, because it is roughly twice its size.
"This leads to the new Shrew colonizing an area and the little Pygmy becoming extinct locally.
Paddy added: "This also has repercussions for our Eco System likely to alter the Ecological Balance in the area colonized.
"They are also thought to be nutritionally poor for Species further up in the food chain such as Barn Owls.
"Although they superficially look like Mice they are not related, Shrews have a long snout. This Species also has the potential to infest a House.
"They have spread quite rapidly since being discovered in 2007 and while there were a few unconfirmed reports of them reaching Kildare over the last year or two the National Biodiversity Data Centre confirmed that one found and photographed by Wild Kildare on a track at Kildoon Wood on October 29th 2018 was a Greater White Toothed Shrew.
"Since then there has a few more Sightings in various Habitats in the County, a Live sighting in Naas (industrial estate) and dead ones found at Ballyteague (canal bank track), Duneany (farmland) and Lullymore (cutover bog)."
Wild Kildare asked readers: "If you encounter one it is very important to record it. Please send your records of it and Pygmy Shrews to Wild Kildare by email at wildkildare@gmail.com or phone 0876872939 or to the National Biodiversity Data Centre at https//records.biodiversityireland.ie
"Please give the Date, Location and if possible a picture.
Please note that the Greater White Toothed Shrew has pure white teeth while Pygmy Shrew has red tips to its teeth and is much smaller."

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