Montane shrew facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Montane shrew |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sorex
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| Species: |
monticolus
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| Montane shrew range | |
The montane shrew (also known as the dusky shrew) is a small, busy mammal that looks a bit like a mouse. It belongs to a group of animals called shrews and its scientific name is Sorex monticolus. These tiny creatures are known for being very active and always on the go!
Contents
What Does a Montane Shrew Look Like?
Montane shrews are small animals with long tails. They usually grow to be about 10 to 14 centimeters (4 to 5.5 inches) long. That's about the length of a pen!
Their fur changes color during the year. In the summer, they are brownish on top and silvery-white or gray underneath. They moult (shed their fur) twice a year, getting a fresh coat.
Where Do Montane Shrews Live?
Montane shrews can be found across a large part of North America. Their home range stretches from northern Alaska all the way down to New Mexico. You can also find them from the Pacific coast to central Manitoba in Canada.
They live in big mountain ranges like the Rocky Mountains, the Blue Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada. You can also spot them on Vancouver Island and Queen Charlotte Island.
Montane Shrew Habitats
These shrews are very adaptable and live in many different places. They can be found in cold tundra areas and high alpine meadows. They also live in thick forests and open prairies.
Montane shrews usually prefer to stay on the forest floor, where they can find plenty of food and cover. They almost never dig their own burrows.
How Do Montane Shrews Behave?
Montane shrews are quite independent animals. They usually live by themselves and don't spend time in groups.
These shrews are incredibly active! They do not hibernate during the winter. In fact, they almost never truly sleep or rest. They are always moving and searching for food.
What Do Montane Shrews Eat?
Montane shrews are mostly insectivorous, meaning they love to eat insects. Their diet includes many different kinds of bugs and their larvae (baby insects).
They also enjoy eating earthworms, spiders, and snails. Sometimes, they might even eat small salamanders. Interestingly, montane shrews have also been seen munching on conifer seeds, lichens, and fungi.
Montane Shrew Life Cycle and Reproduction
The breeding season for montane shrews can last for several months, from February to August. After mating, the mother shrew is pregnant for about 13 to 28 days.
The baby shrews are born in a small nest. This nest is usually made from grass and hidden under a rock or a fallen tree. When they are born, the babies are blind and have no fur. They are completely helpless.
The young shrews are weaned (stop drinking their mother's milk) when they are about 3 weeks old. Montane shrews typically live for about 12 to 18 months.
See also
In Spanish: Sorex monticolus para niños
