Mammals of the WorldTundra Shrew
Sorex tundrensis
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Sorex
- IUCN status
- LC
- Distribution
- Russia|Kazakhstan|China|Mongolia|North Korea|South Korea|United States|Canada
- Realm
- Palearctic|Nearctic
Other names: Holarctic Shrew
About this species
- Size
- 83–120mm
- Weight
- 3.8–10g
- Diet
- Invertebrates
- Habitat
- Tundra, taiga, shrubland, meadow, and bog
- Range
- Northern Asia and northwestern North America
The tundra shrew is a stocky medium-sized Sorex, about 83–120mm and 3.8–10g in North American samples. Summer adults show a three-toned coat: dark-brown back, paler brown sides, and pale-grey belly. Winter pelage is longer and more simply two-toned, with brown above and greyish sides and belly. The tail is distinctly darker above than below, especially toward its narrow tip in winter. (Animal Diversity Web)
It uses a broad range of northern habitats, including tundra, taiga, shrubland, meadow, and mossy bog, generally favouring somewhat drier ground than some accompanying shrews. Its range spans northern Asia and northwestern North America; central Asia is recognised in the national checklist. North American measurements and habitat detail are presented as species-wide context, not central Asian observations. No central Asian viewing locality was identified. (Animal Diversity Web; Mammal Diversity Database)
Description: Wildlife of Korea guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com)