Merriam's Shrew
Merriam's Shrew
Sorex merriami
Sorex merriami
Embedded Files
Population, Conservation Status, Threats:
Considered least concern by the IUCN. Threatened by habitat fragmentation and increased wildfire risk. Little is known about population density, and whether it is on the rise or fall - similarly, little is known about additional threats to the species.
Physical Description:
A very small shrew, with brown-gray fur with a lighter underbelly, and a hairless tail. It has small hairless ears and a long, narrow snout.
Overall Merriam's shrew range from Montana Field Guide. Understanding the true range of this species is hard due to their small size and cryptic nature. Present in the inland portions of Oregon, Washington, and California, ranging to just below the Canada border in the northernmost part of their range, and down into the north of Arizona and New Mexico in the southernmost part. In Colorado, they occur from the Front Range and west.
Habitat:
Appears to prefer more arid environments than other shrew species, primarily sagebrush and grassland landscapes.
Behavior:
Reclusive and likely nocturnal and solitary. Has been observed utilizing the burrows and runways of other small rodents for shelter and transportation.
Diet:
Merriam's shrews are, like other shrews, obligate insectivores, but possessing a stronger relative bite force than related species, implying an adaption to feeding on harder-bodied invertebrates like beetles, crickets, and wasps.
Reproduction:
Little is known about specific reproductive habits. Litter size ranges from 5-7 young, and leave the mother at just 25 days old. It is possible that multiple litters are produced in a year. Average lifespan is not known.
Associated Species:
Appear to utilize vole burrows where populations overlap. Commonly predated upon by owls and domestic cats.
Illustration by Willow Sedam
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse