# 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! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests and grasslands ![American Shrewmole](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/AmericanShrewMole23.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AmericanShrewMole23.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Soricomorpha - **Family:** Talpidae - **Genus:** Neurotrichus ## 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 - **Super Sniffer:** American Shrewmole has an incredibly sensitive, flexible snout that helps it find prey underground by smell. - **Speedy Digger:** American Shrewmole can rapidly tunnel through soil using its broad, paddle-like front paws for digging. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — hunts small mammals, including shrewmoles, at night. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — consumes these slow-moving invertebrates found in their habitat. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## 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 to identify American Shrewmole? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Monte Bello Open Space Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monte-bello-open-space-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Hoyt Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hoyt-arboretum) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Clatsop Butte Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clatsop-butte-park) — Oregon, US · Park - [Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skookumchuck-narrows-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see American Shrewmole](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-shrewmole) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [American Shrewmole: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-shrewmole)