Eurasian Least Shrew vs small tortoiseshell

Sorex minutissimus compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Eurasian Least Shrew is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Eurasian Least Shrew	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Soricidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Sorex	Aglais
Species	Sorex minutissimus	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Eurasian Least Shrew and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Eurasian Least Shrew

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Eurasian Least Shrew	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Eurasian Least Shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Norway, Russia, and Sweden.

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇪 Sweden