Presenter: David Nagorsen

On Thursday March 21, at 7:30 pm, we are pleased to welcome David Nagorsen to the Special Topics night on the third Thursday (Botany Night will be on the 28 this month) . Dave will be presenting a Zoom presentation about Shrews and Moles.  Rarely observed and difficult to identify, shrews and moles are the least known of the province’s small mammals. My presentation will review recent findings on their general natural history including the implications of recent DNA research on their taxonomy, how they cope with high energy demands, prey species, the use of venomous saliva by some shrews, specializations for diving shown by water shrews the smallest mammalian divers, and the adaptations of moles for a life underground. Half of the province’s shrew and mole species are considered to be of conservation concern by the province and two species are listed under the federal Species at Risk Act. The presentation will focus on species found in the lower mainland to illustrate conservation issues and the general lack of information on their BC status.

This presentation will be via Zoom Video Conferencing. On the Monday preceding the event, Nature Vancouver members will receive the Zoom link in the weekly e-News. The talk will begin at 7:30 pm. Non-members are welcome and should Email eNews@naturevancouver.ca a few days ahead to register for the link.