Mount Lyell shrew facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Lyell shrew |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sorex
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| Species: |
lyelli
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| Mount Lyell shrew range | |
The Mount Lyell shrew (Sorex lyelli) is a tiny mammal that belongs to the shrew family. It is named after Mount Lyell in Yosemite National Park, where it is often found. This small creature is a special part of the wildlife in California.
Where Does the Mount Lyell Shrew Live?
The Mount Lyell shrew lives only in a small area of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, United States. When an animal or plant lives only in one specific place, it is called endemic.
You can find these shrews in Fresno, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne counties. They prefer to live at high elevations, from about 2,100 to 3,630 meters (6,900 to 11,900 feet) above sea level. They usually live in cool, wet areas near fast-flowing streams in the mountains.
What Does the Mount Lyell Shrew Look Like?
The Mount Lyell shrew is a very small animal. It measures between 8.9 and 10 centimeters (3.5 to 3.9 inches) long. That's about the length of a common pencil!
It weighs only about 4 to 5 grams (0.14 to 0.18 ounces). This is roughly the weight of two pennies. Even though it is tiny, its skull has 32 teeth.
See also
In Spanish: Sorex lyelli para niños
