Active in even the coldest weather, the Smoky Shrew commonly lives in extensive burrows in the leaf mold of the forest floor. Small invertebrates, such as insects and their larvae, earthworms, sow bugs, and centipedes, form its diet. It makes a leaf nest in a hollow log or stump, or under rocks. Smoky Shrews do not breed in their birth year; they overwinter as immature animals, becoming breeding adults in the spring. The young are weaned and become adult size by 30 days of age. They can be distinguished from adults by the hairs extending from the tip of the tail, which wear away as they age. Few Smoky Shrews live long enough to produce litters in more than one year. The life span of this species is estimated at a maximum of 14 to 17 months.

description Body brownish in summer, grayish in winter. Long tail dark brown above and paler, sometimes yellowish, below. L 4 1/4-5" (110-127 mm); T 1 1/4-2" (37-52 mm); HF 1/2 - 5/8 " (12-15 mm); Wt 1/4 oz (6-9 g).

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