'Shrewd' hitchhiker catches cyclist's attention

'Very rare' albino shrew spotted near Andreas

A 'very rare' albino shrew has been spotted in the north of the Island.

Cyclist Gordon Cobb found the critter lurking by a roadside close to Andreas.

Manx Wildlife Trust says minor albinism is common in pygmy shrews - typically in the form of white ear or tail tufts and sometimes dirty white banding over the shoulders.

One that is completely white all over, however, is much less common.