Insectivora

An order of small, plantigrade, placental mammals that are extremely active and often highly predaceous; they feed mostly on insects and small rodents, although the jes or potomogale of Africa feeds on fish. Eight living families include the solenodons of Cuba and Haiti, tenrecs of Madagascar, hedgehog of Europe and Asia, and shrews and moles of the U.S., Africa, and Asia. [insect + L. voro, to devour]

* * *

In·sec·tiv·o·ra .in-.sek-'tiv-ə-rə n pl an order of mammals comprising the moles, shrews, hedgehogs, and certain related forms that are mostly small, insectivorous, terrestrial or fossorial, and nocturnal

* * *

In·sec·tiv·o·ra (in″sek-tivґo-rə) [insect + L. vorare to devour] an order of small, terrestrial mammals, including the moles and shrews, which feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates.