A Garden Visitor Like No Other
In mid-July 2025, Anita McMillan was enjoying her morning walk near St Austell, Cornwall, when she noticed a tiny striped mammal darting among the leaves. At just about 2–3 cm long and weighing less than a penny, the pygmy shrew stood out thanks to its distinctive white stripes, resembling a mint humbug sweet—an unheard-of genetic mutation in these tiny creatures. Experts quickly confirmed this was the first recorded pygmy shrew with such markings in the British Isles.
Instant Viral Stardom
Anita snapped photos and shared them with her sister (a notable wildlife tracker), sparking a wave of excitement. Social media erupts—hashtags like #MintHumbugShrew and #CornwallWeirdWildlife trended as viewers marveled at the adorable anomaly. Comments ranged from “Is that a sugar-striped critter?” to “Never seen anything cuter!”
Experts Scramble to Identify It
Biologists from the Mammal Society confirmed the shrew carried a rare genetic mutation called leucism, resulting in partial albinism and the striped pattern. Given pygmy shrews typically have uniform grey-brown fur, this unexpected fur design stunned the scientific community—and delighted them.
A Happy Ending for a Tiny Star
After the rare turn of fame, local wildlife experts checked its health and safely released the stripe-patterned shrew back into its leafy habitat. Cornwall’s nature lovers now celebrate the rare visitor as a gentle reminder: even the tiniest animals can bring big joy.
