Range maps for shrews

Four genera of shrews (family Soricidae) occur in the United States and all are in the subfamily Soricinae (red-toothed shrews): Blarina, Cryptotis, Notiosorex, and Sorex.

Before using species range maps for any purpose, we urge you to exercise caution and be aware of potential limitations and challenges associated with their interpretation. While we have made efforts to create the most up-to-date range maps by synthesizing diverse data sources, including historical published range maps, occurrence data from natural history specimens, field guides, peer-reviewed published research, and personal communication with experts, these data may have varying degrees of accuracy and reliability, leading to potential inaccuracies and gaps in the representation of a species' distribution. For some species, data may be scarce or biased toward easily accessible areas, resulting in incomplete representation of their true range. Taxonomic revisions can affect species identification and may not be immediately reflected in range maps, potentially leading to misinterpretation. Exercise prudence in the application of these maps and acknowledge their limitations to make informed decisions for conservation, research, species identification, and project planning.

Blarina (short-tailed shrews) in the United States

Northern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda)
Southern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina carolinensis)
Elliot's Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina hylophaga)
Everglades Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina peninsulae)
Sherman's Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina shermani)

Cryptotis in the United States

Berlandier's Least Shrew (Cryptotis berlandieri)
Florida Least Shrew (Cryptotis floridanus). This species was split from Cryptotis parvus by Galfano et al. (2025).
North American Least Shrew (Cryptotis parvus)

Notiosorex in the United States

Cockrum's Gray Shrew (Notiosorex cockrumi) (recognized in 2003 by Baker et al. as species separate from Notiosorex crawfordi)
Desert Gray Shrew (Notiosorex crawfordi)
Ticul's Gray Shrew (Notiosorex tataticuli). Recognized as a separate species by Camargo & Álvarez-Castañeda (2020) based on populations previously attributed to Notiosorex crawfordi.

Sorex (long-tailed shrews) in the United States

Eastern Water Shrew (Sorex albibarbis). Split from Sorex palustris by Hope et al. (2014).
Arctic Shrew (Sorex arcticus)
Arizona Shrew (Sorex arizonae)
Marsh Shrew (Sorex bendirii)
Masked Shrew (Sorex cinereus)
Rock Shrew (Sorex dispar)
Western Pygmy Shrew (Sorex eximius). Split from Sorex hoyi by Hope et al. (2020).
Sorex fontinalis. The American Society of Mammalogists Mammal Diversity Database (v2.2, released June 13, 2025) tentatively includes fontinalis in Sorex cinereus.
Smoky Shrew (Sorex fumeus)
Prairie Shrew (Sorex haydeni)
Eastern Pygmy Shrew (Sorex hoyi). Updated range: this species was split by Hope et al. (2020).
Saint Lawrence Island Shrew (Sorex jacksoni)
Southeastern Shrew (Sorex longirostris)
Mount Lyell Shrew (Sorex lyelli)
Merriam's Shrew (Sorex merriami)
Eurasian Least Shrew (Sorex minutissimus). Range in North America shown.
Southern Montane Shrew (Sorex monticolus). Updated range: this species was split into three clades by Demboski & Cook (2001). S. monticolus includes S. neomexicanus.
Dwarf Shrew (Sorex nanus)
Western Water Shrew (Sorex navigator). Split from S. palustris by Hope et al. (2014) and includes S. navigator alaskanus.
Northern Montane Shrew (Sorex obscurus). Split from S. monticola by Demboski & Cook (2001).
Ornate Shrew (Sorex ornatus)
Pacific Shrew (Sorex pacificus). Phylogentic analysis published by Demboski & Cook (2001) determined that the "coastal clade" contained S. pacificus, S. bairdi (now S. pacificus bairdi), and portions of what was previously considered S. monticolus.
American Water Shrew (Sorex palustris). Updated range: this species was split by Hope et al. (2014).)
Preble's Shrew (Sorex preblei). Dark green range is based on molecular analyses conducted by Hope et al. (2012); green hash shading includes the distribution of this species based on earlier morphological studies.
Pribilof Island Shrew (Sorex pribilofensis)
Olympic Shrew (Sorex rohweri)
Fog Shrew (Sorex sonomae)
Inyo Shrew (Sorex tenellus)
Trowbridge's Shrew (Sorex trowbridgii)
Tundra Shrew (Sorex tundrensis). Range in North America shown.
Barren Ground Shrew (Sorex ugyunak)
Vagrant Shrew (Sorex vagrans)
Sorex sp. RM. This is an undescribed species that was genetically identified by Hope et al. (2012).
Sorex sp. SW. This is an undescribed species that was genetically identified by Hope et al. (2012).