American Shrewmole
ExploreMammals
American Shrewmole
Neurotrichus gibbsii
The American Shrewmole is a small, furry creature that loves to dig in the ground. It has tiny eyes and a long nose, which helps it find tasty bugs and worms to eat!
Habitat: Forests and grasslands
Appearance
The American Shrewmole is a tiny mammal, often slate grey to brownish-black, with thick, velvety fur. It has a distinctive long, pointed, flexible snout and incredibly small eyes, making it visually unique from other small rodents.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderSoricomorphaFamilyTalpidaeGenusNeurotrichus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
American Shrewmoles can eat half their own body weight every single day!
Their velvety fur lets them move forwards or backwards easily in tunnels.
These tiny animals can even swim well, searching for food in the water!
They are the smallest mammal found in North America!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Sniffer
American Shrewmole has an incredibly sensitive, flexible snout that helps it find prey underground by smell.
Ability
Speedy Digger
American Shrewmole can rapidly tunnel through soil using its broad, paddle-like front paws for digging.
Ability
Tunnel Navigator
American Shrewmole has extra-long whiskers that help it feel its way around dark tunnels, compensating for its tiny eyes.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 7-10 cm
- Weight
- 0.008-0.015 kg
- Lifespan
- 1-3 years
- Litter Size
- 1-5
- Gestation
- 20-30 days
Diet & Feeding
This tiny mole loves to munch on small creepy crawlies like worms, insects, and slugs found underground.
Primary Foods
- Earthworms
- Insect larvae
- Slugs
- Snails
- Centipedes
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
hunts small mammals, including shrewmoles, at night.
eaten by
Coyote
Canis latrans
preys opportunistically on small mammals found on the surface.
hunts
Common Earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
a primary and abundant food source found underground.
hunts
Leopard Slug
Limax maximus
consumes these slow-moving invertebrates found in their habitat.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
If you see a small animal, it's best to watch from a distance and not touch it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is American Shrewmole?
7-10 cm
How much does American Shrewmole weigh?
0.008-0.015 kg
How long does American Shrewmole live?
1-3 years
What does American Shrewmole eat?
This tiny mole loves to munch on small creepy crawlies like worms, insects, and slugs found underground.
Where is American Shrewmole usually found?
Forests and grasslands
How does American Shrewmole hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does American Shrewmole usually have?
1-5
How long is American Shrewmole's gestation?
20-30 days
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