Shrew range maps

Four genera of shrews (family Soricidae) occur in the United States and all are within the subfamily Soricinae, the 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)

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  Northern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda)

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  Southern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina carolinensis)

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  Elliot's Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina hylophaga)

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  Everglades Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina peninsulae)

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  Sherman's Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina shermani)

Cryptotis

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  Berlandier's Least Shrew (Cryptotis berlandieri)

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  North American Least Shrew (Cryptotis parvus)

Notiosorex

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  Cockrum's Gray Shrew (Notiosorex cockrumi) (recognized in 2003 by Baker et al. as species separate from Notiosorex crawfordi)

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  Desert Gray Shrew (Notiosorex crawfordi)

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  Ticul's Gray Shrew (Notiosorex tataticuli)

(recognized as a separate species in 2020 by Camargo & Álvarez-Castañeda, based on populations previously attributed to Notiosorex crawfordi)]]

Sorex (long-tailed shrews)

Warning! This section is currently under review. We've reached out to the experts and asked for guidance. Until this message is removed, please interpret the maps in this section with caution.

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  Eastern Water Shrew (Sorex albibarbis) (split from Sorex palustris in 2014 by Hope et al.)

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  Arctic Shrew (Sorex arcticus)

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  Arizona Shrew (Sorex arizonae)

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  Marsh Shrew (Sorex bendirii)

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  Masked Shrew (Sorex cinereus)

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  Rock Shrew (Sorex dispar)

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  Western Pygmy Shrew (Sorex eximius) (split from Sorex hoyi in 2020 by Hope et al.)

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  Maryland Shrew (Sorex fontinalis)

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  Smoky Shrew (Sorex fumeus)

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  Prairie Shrew (Sorex haydeni)

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  Eastern Pygmy Shrew (Sorex hoyi) (updated range: in 2020 this species was split by Hope et al.)

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  Saint Lawrence Island Shrew (Sorex jacksoni)

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  Southeastern Shrew (Sorex longirostris)

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  Mount Lyell Shrew (Sorex lyelli)

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  Merriam's Shrew (Sorex merriami)

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  Eurasian Least Shrew (Sorex minutissimus) (range in North America)

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  Southern Montane Shrew (Sorex monticolus) (updated range: in 2001 this species was split into three clades by Demboski & Cook, S. monticolus includes S. neomexicanus)

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  Dwarf Shrew (Sorex nanus)

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  Western Water Shrew (Sorex navigator) (split from S. palustris in 2014 by Hope et al., includes S. navigator alaskanus)

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  Northern Montane Shrew (Sorex obscurus) (split from S. monticola in 2001 by Demboski & Cook)

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  Ornate Shrew (Sorex ornatus)

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  Pacific Shrew (Sorex pacificus) (phylogentic analysis published in 2001 by Demboski & Cook determined that the "coastal clade" contained S. pacificus, S. bairdi [now S. pacificus bairdi], and portions of what was previously considered S. monticolus)

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  American Water Shrew (Sorex palustris) (updated range: in 2014 this species was split by Hope et al.)

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  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)

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  Pribilof Island Shrew (Sorex pribilofensis)

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  Olympic Shrew (Sorex rohweri)

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  Fog Shrew (Sorex sonomae)

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  Inyo Shrew (Sorex tenellus)

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  Trowbridge's Shrew (Sorex trowbridgii)

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  Tundra Shrew (Sorex tundrensis) (range in North America)

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  Barren Ground Shrew (Sorex ugyunak)

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  Vagrant Shrew (Sorex vagrans)

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  Sorex sp. RM (undescribed species, genetically identified in 2012 by Hope et al.)

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  Sorex sp. SW (undescribed species, genetically identified in 2012 by Hope et al.)