The Northern Short-tailed Shrew is one of the few venomous mammals in North America, producing toxic saliva in modified salivary glands that can immobilize small prey. It is a powerfully built, steel-gray shrew with tiny, nearly concealed eyes and a very short tail. Its musk glands produce an odor strong enough to make it unpalatable to many predators.
Best time to see a Northern Short-tailed Shrew
The best time to see a Northern Short-tailed Shrew is April–September, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 11,536 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Northern Short-tailed Shrew? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Northern Short-tailed Shrew sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Northern Short-tailed Shrew?
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.