# Trowbridge's Shrew (*Sorex trowbridgii*) Trowbridge's Shrew is a tiny mammal that loves to scurry around in the underbrush. With its long snout and small size, it looks a bit like a mouse but is actually a shrew! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Trowbridge's Shrew](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Trowbridge's_Shrew_%28Sorex_trowbridgii%29_observed_by_bob-dodge.JPG&width=800) Photo: Trowbridge's Shrew (Sorex trowbridgii) (Sorex trowbridgii) observed by bob-dodge https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trowbridge's_Shrew_%28Sorex_trowbridgii%29_observed_by_bob-dodge.JPG) ## Appearance The Trowbridge's Shrew has a sleek body with a dark, often grayish-brown back that fades to a lighter, ash-gray belly. Its long, pointed snout and tiny, almost hidden eyes give it a distinct look, and it possesses a relatively long tail that is usually darker on top than underneath. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Soricomorpha - **Family:** Soricidae - **Genus:** Sorex ## Interesting facts - Its tiny heart can beat over 1,000 times per minute – incredibly fast! - Shrews are more closely related to moles than to mice or rats! - They use ultrasonic squeaks, like tiny sonar, to explore their world! - This small mammal needs to eat every few hours to stay alive! ## Special abilities - **Super Sniffer:** Trowbridge's Shrew can find hidden prey like insects underground because of its extra-long, flexible snout and keen sense of smell. - **Hyper Metabolism:** Trowbridge's Shrew has a super-fast metabolism that makes it constantly hungry, so it must eat almost all day long to survive. - **Quick Reflexes:** Trowbridge's Shrew has incredibly quick reflexes that help it dart away from predators and snatch fast-moving insects in a flash. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-14 cm - **Weight:** 0.003-0.008 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-2 years - **Speed:** 12 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-9 - **Gestation:** 18-20 days ## Diet & Feeding This tiny hunter loves munching on insects and other small creepy crawlies! - **Primary Foods:** insects, spiders, earthworms, slugs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Barn Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — A common predator that hunts shrews at night. - **Eaten by:** Ermine (*Mustela erminea*) — A quick weasel that preys on small mammals. - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — This snake adds shrews to its varied diet. - **Eats:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — A frequent prey item for the shrew in forests. ## 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. - [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. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [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 shrew, watch quietly from a distance. They are shy and prefer to be left alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Trowbridge's 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 Trowbridge's Shrew? 10-14 cm ### How much does Trowbridge's Shrew weigh? 0.003-0.008 kg ### How long does Trowbridge's Shrew live? 1-2 years ### How fast can Trowbridge's Shrew move? 12 km/h ### What does Trowbridge's Shrew eat? This tiny hunter loves munching on insects and other small creepy crawlies! ### Where is Trowbridge's Shrew usually found? Forests ### How does Trowbridge's Shrew hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Trowbridge's Shrew: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/trowbridges-shrew)