Appearance
This shrew grows to about 12 centimetres long (including a four centimetre long tail). They have dark brown fur on their back, light brown on the sides and a grey belly. They grow long fur in the winter to keep them warm.
Range & Habitat
Tundra shrews are found in northern Asia and Europe, Alaska, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and the northwest corner of B.C. They make their homes in thick grass, under shrubs or near marshes and bogs.
Diet & Behaviour
Like most shrews they eat worms, insects, some grasses and flowers.
Lifecycle & Threats
Tundra shrews build their nest in dry spots with grass, under logs or in little caves. They have from eight to twelve babies usually in late summer and a mom can have one or two litters each year. Hawks, owls and other birds of prey eat shrews.
Status
COSEWIC: Not at Risk
CDC: Red (because there is only one tiny population in BC
More Information
Photo: Andrew Hope, USGS.
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