Smoky Shrew

About the Smoky Shrew

The smoky shrew (Sorex fumeus) is a medium-sized North American shrew found in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States and further south along the Appalachian Mountains. This species has two recognized subspecies:

Sorex fumeus fumeus Sorex fumeus umbrosus The smoky shrew is active year-round. It is dull grey in colour with lighter underparts and a long tail which is brown on top and yellowish underneath. During winter, its fur is grey. Its body is about 11 centimetres (4.3 in) in length including a 4 centimetres (1.6 in) long tail and it weighs roughly 5 grams (0.18 oz).

This animal is found near streams in cool damp deciduous and mixed woods. It makes extensive, solitary, burrows in the leaf litter on the forest floor or builds globular nests 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in) of plant materials under rocks. The smoky shrew rarely digs tunnels. It instead uses tunnels created by moles or other shrews. Its diet consists mainly of beetles, however various insects, earthworms, small rodents, snails and other soil dwelling invertebrates are also taken. It also consumes plant material to supplement its diet. Predators include... Wikipedia →