Smoky Shrew

The Smoky Shrew, Sorex fumeus, is a medium-sized North American shrew found in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.

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 cm in length including a 4 cm long tail and it weighs about 5 g.

These animals are found near streams in cool damp deciduous and mixed woods. Their range extends further south along the Appalachian Mountains. They make extensive burrows in the leaf litter on the forest floor. They also use tunnels created by moles or other shrews.

Their diet includes insects, earthworms, snails and small mammals. Predators include owls, snakes and mustelids.

These animals are active year-round. The female has 2 to 3 litters of 5 to 7 young in a nest in a stump or under a log.