The Masked Shrew is among the most abundant and widespread small mammals in North America, found in virtually every moist habitat type from coast to coast. It has a metabolic rate so high that it must eat nearly its own body weight daily and will die of starvation in a matter of hours without food. Shrews locate prey in leaf litter and soil using a form of crude echolocation.
Best time to see a Masked Shrew
The best time to see a Masked Shrew is April–September, when about 67% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 990 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Masked Shrew? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Masked Shrew sightings near you
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