Common shrews are common on the mainland, but are not found on most Wadden Islands. You will only find them on Terschelling, Borkum and Baltrum. They are active day and night and have a high metabolism. Every day, they must eat one and a half times their body weight. Their food consists of beetles, slaters, worms, spiders, snails, carrion and seeds from conifers. Common shrews have a good sense of smell and can find food ten centimeters deep under the ground.