Fauna
Mammal

Northern Short-tailed Shrew

Blarina brevicauda

Also known as Short-tailed Shrew, Mole Shrew, Large Short-tailed Shrew

Fueled by a blistering metabolic rate, this solitary hunter must consume up to three times its body weight in food every day to survive. It navigates dark subterranean tunnels and dense leaf litter using crude echolocation, emitting high-frequency ultrasonic clicks to sense its immediate surroundings. Submaxillary glands secrete a paralytic venom through grooved incisors, enabling it to immobilize prey as large as salamanders, mice, and frogs for winter caching.

VenomousFossorialInsectivorous
Northern Short-tailed Shrew reference1 / 7
(c) Gilles Gonthier, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyEarthworms, Land Snails, Beetle Larvae
Predators
  • Barn Owl
  • Red-tailed Hawk
  • Red Fox
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, pesticide exposure reducing prey availability, and domestic cat predation
HabitatsDeciduous and coniferous forests, shrubby borders, overgrown fields, and grassy riverbanks
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderSoricomorpha
  2. FamilySoricidae
  3. GenusBlarina
  4. SpeciesBlarina brevicauda
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is very high
Possesses a venomous bite that causes localized pain and swelling; never handle with bare hands.
Why it is dangerous
Salivary glands produce blarina toxin, a kallikrein-like protease that causes intense localized burning, erythema, and severe swelling when bitten.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for dense slate-gray fur, an exceptionally short tail under three centimeters, and tiny eyes concealed beneath velvety fur.
What to do
Do not attempt to touch or trap by hand; use a deep container or thick work gloves if removal is necessary.
Responsible observation
  • Listen closely: A rustling in damp forest leaf litter followed by high-pitched chirps often reveals an active shrew.
  • Do not handle: Wear thick gloves if moving one from a window well, as its bite delivers a painful paralytic toxin.
Related species
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