Family: Soricidae, Shrews view all from this family

Description Large, velvety, brownish-grayish dark shrew with relatively uniform belly and back. Similar to American Water Shrew, but without stiff hairs on hind toes. Olympic Peninsula subspecies (S. b. albiventer) has white belly.

Dimensions 128-174mm, 58-80mm, 7-21g

Habitat Forests & woodlands, Swamps, marshes & bogs, Beaches, shorelines & estuaries, Lakes, ponds, rivers & streams

Range California, Northwest, Western Canada

Discussion Forages both on land and in water, but eats prey on land. Occupies coastal forests, typically associated with skunk cabbage marshes, riparian alder, small streams, and beach debris. May temporarily move into new habitats during rainy times.