A small dark gray shrew of eastern forests. High metabolism — must eat almost continuously.

Native status: Native to eastern North America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 6–8 cm; tail 3–5 cm
Weight5–10 g
LifespanWild 1 year
OrderEulipotyphla
FamilySoricidae

§ Encyclopedia

The smoky shrew is a medium-sized North American shrew found in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States and further south along the Appalachian Mountains.

Source: Wikipedia — Smoky shrew Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Small dark gray-brown shrew with pointed snout; tiny eyes.

Similar species. Other Sorex shrew species.

Voice. High-pitched squeaks.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects, worms, small invertebrates.

Behavior. Eastern shrew of moist deciduous and coniferous forests.

§ Range

Eastern North America

§ Habitat

Damp moist forests with leaf litter

§ Threats

Forest fragmentation, climate change.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the smoky shrew is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support mature forest conservation. Maintain leaf litter.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • American Society of Mammalogists
  • IUCN Red List 2016