Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Sorex
Habitat
This shrew primarily inhabits moist coniferous forests and mixed woodlands in the Pacific Northwest of North America, such as in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. It prefers cool, damp environments with dense undergrowth, streams, and fallen logs for cover.
Diet
The Chestnut-bellied shrew mainly feeds on insects like beetles and ants, as well as earthworms and other small invertebrates. It is an active forager, hunting day and night with a high metabolic rate that requires it to eat frequently, often consuming more than its body weight in food daily.
Behavior
Chestnut-bellied shrews are solitary and territorial, defending small home ranges with scent markings. They are primarily nocturnal, spending the day in burrows or under debris, and exhibit rapid, darting movements while foraging. These shrews are highly active to maintain their energy levels, often vocalizing with high-pitched sounds.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Chestnut-bellied shrew is Least Concern, with a stable population trend. Major threats include habitat loss from logging and urbanization.