Marsh Shrew
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Order: Soricomorph
Family: Soricidae

[Photo] Pacific Water Shrew Sorex bendirii from USDA Forest Service. Source: Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland, USDA Forest Service.

The Marsh Shrew (Sorex bendirii), also known as the Pacific Water Shrew, is a large North American shrew found near aquatic habitats, the largest member of genus Sorex in North America.

It is dark brown in colour with dark underparts and a long tail. Its hind feet have coarse hairs on the toes. Its body is about 16 cm in length including a 7 cm long tail and it weighs about 13 g.

This animal is found along the Pacific coast of southern British Columbia and the western United States.

It swims and takes short dives in search of food. Its diet includes earthworms, aquatic insects, slugs and snails.

This animal is active during the day but is more active at night. The female has a litter of 3 or 4 young in a nest in a tunnel or under a log. Water shrews typically live about 18 months.

The range and numbers of these animals are thought to have declined due to loss of suitable wetland habitat, especially near urban areas and farmlands.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh_Shrew

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