Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Soricidae
- Genus
- Sorex
Habitat
The Stripe-backed shrew inhabits moist coniferous forests, meadows, and grasslands in the western United States and Canada. It prefers areas with dense undergrowth, proximity to streams or wetlands, and elevations from sea level to mountainous regions.
Diet
This shrew primarily eats insects, earthworms, and other invertebrates like spiders and snails. It forages actively at night using its keen sense of smell, consuming food frequently due to its high metabolic rate.
Behavior
Stripe-backed shrews are solitary and territorial, defending small home ranges with scent markings. They are primarily nocturnal, spending days in burrows or under logs, and exhibit rapid, erratic movements while foraging. These shrews are highly active and vocal, producing high-pitched squeaks during interactions.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status is Least Concern, with a stable population trend. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and urbanization.