Water shrews (Neomys fodiens) are small, semi-aquatic mammals found in Europe and Asia. They are known for their ability to find prey in the dark, and they do this by using a combination of their senses of hearing, smell, and touch.

Hearing

Water shrews have excellent hearing, and they can detect sounds up to 80,000 hertz. This is much higher than the range of human hearing, which is only up to 20,000 hertz. Water shrews use their hearing to detect the sounds of prey moving in the water, and they can even locate prey that is hidden under rocks or vegetation.

Smell

Water shrews also have a keen sense of smell, and they use this to find prey that is not visible. They can detect the scents of prey animals in the water, and they can even track prey by following their scent trails.

Touch

Water shrews also use their sense of touch to find prey. They have long, sensitive whiskers that they use to probe the water for prey. When they find prey, they use their sharp claws to grab it and eat it.

Combination of senses

Water shrews use a combination of their senses of hearing, smell, and touch to find prey in the dark. Their excellent hearing allows them to detect the sounds of prey moving in the water, their keen sense of smell allows them to find prey that is not visible, and their sensitive whiskers allow them to probe the water for prey. By using all of their senses, water shrews are able to find prey in even the darkest of conditions.