# Southern Short-tailed Shrew (*Blarina carolinensis*) The Southern Short-tailed Shrew is a tiny mammal with a long nose and sharp teeth. It lives in forests and grasslands, hunting insects and worms for food. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Forests, Grasslands - **Also known as:** Carolina Shrew, Southern Shrew ![Southern Short-tailed Shrew](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426159/objects/6421.jpg) ## Appearance The Southern Short-tailed Shrew has velvety, dark grey fur that sometimes appears brownish, a tiny, barely visible tail, and a long, pointed snout. Its eyes are very small and hidden, making it look distinct from a mouse or vole. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Soricomorpha - **Family:** Soricidae - **Genus:** Blarina ## Interesting facts - Southern Short-tailed Shrews are one of the few venomous mammals on Earth! - Their heart can beat over 800 times a minute when they are active! - They need to eat every few hours or they can starve to death! - They produce a musky scent to warn off predators and mark their territory. ## Special abilities - **Venomous Bite:** Southern Short-tailed Shrew can inject a mild venom with its bite because of specialized glands, helping them subdue larger prey. - **Echolocation Navigation:** Southern Short-tailed Shrew can use high-pitched sounds to 'see' in the dark because of echolocation, helping them find prey. - **Rapid Digging:** Southern Short-tailed Shrew can dig extensive tunnels quickly because of their strong front claws, providing shelter and hunting grounds. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-10 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-2 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-8 - **Gestation:** 20-22 days ## Diet & Feeding These tiny predators feast on insects, worms, and other small creatures found in the soil. - **Primary Foods:** Earthworms, Slugs, Snails, Beetle larvae, Crickets - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Barn Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — A common prey item for nocturnal hunters. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Larger predators sometimes prey on shrews. - **Hunts:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — A primary food source found in the soil. - **Eaten by:** [Corn Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/corn-snake) (*Pantherophis guttatus*) — Snakes are opportunistic predators of small mammals. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Avoid handling wild shrews as they can bite when scared. Admire them from a safe distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Southern Short-tailed Shrew? 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 Southern Short-tailed Shrew? 7-10 cm ### How much does Southern Short-tailed Shrew weigh? 0.01-0.03 kg ### How long does Southern Short-tailed Shrew live? 1-2 years ### How fast can Southern Short-tailed Shrew move? 8 km/h ### What does Southern Short-tailed Shrew eat? These tiny predators feast on insects, worms, and other small creatures found in the soil. ### Where is Southern Short-tailed Shrew usually found? Forests, Grasslands ### How does Southern Short-tailed Shrew hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Coker Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coker-arboretum-north-carolina) — North Carolina, US · Zoo ## 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: [Southern Short-tailed Shrew: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-short-tailed-shrew)