Ornate Shrew

Conservation

Scientific Classification

Order	Eulipotyphla
Family	Soricidae
Genus	Sorex
Binomial name	Sorex ornatus

Range Map

Description

The ornate shrew is a species of mammal endemic to the western regions of North America.

Ornate shrews are found from Northern California in the United States to Baja California in Mexico.

They are relatively small-sized, with total body length averaging 99.4 mm and a total body mass of 5.12 grams.

Ornate shrews are characterized by short tails and brown coat which tends to gray on the underparts. They molt every year, which results in a change of the color of their fur at different times of the year.

Ornate shrews commonly live among coastal marshes and palustrine environments. They have been found at altitudes reaching 2400 meters above sea level.