American Water Shrew

Sorex palustris

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMABA01150
Common Name: 
American Water Shrew
Scientific Name: 
Sorex palustris
Google image search
Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Eulipotyphla (Soricomorpha)
Family: 
Soricidae
References: 
B114
R169
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

About 12 months (but some females reproduce during year of birth).
References: 
SC1

Longevity

Up to 18 months
References: 
SC1

Economic/Human Considerations

Eat insects and fish eggs
References: 
B001
Habitat
Very near water ; with adequate cover such as overhanging banks, boulders, tree roots, logs.
References: 
SC1
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Plains
References: 
B001

Distribution

29% of the NWT. Small Mammal Survey, caught in Fort Smith and Fort Liard.
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
SC1

Number of Occurrences

Probably
Score: 
E = >
References: 
H126

Area of Occupancy

Stable?
Score: 
-
References: 
H126
Trends

Trends

Stable?
References: 
H126
Threats

Threats

Score: 
C = M

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
But little information; see rank for sister species western water shrew (S. navigator).
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted using information and comments from M. Bradley. Reviewed in 2004, no changes in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change for S. palustris, but new rank for the sister subspecies, now a full species, S. navigator. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 16, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • van Zyll de Jong CG (1983) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Marsupials and Insectivores. National Museum of Natural Sciences RWED Library Call#QL721.z9 - SC1 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • van Zyll de Jong CG (1983) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Marsupials and Insectivores. National Museum of Natural Sciences RWED Library Call#QL721.z9 - SC1 Return

Longevity

  • van Zyll de Jong CG (1983) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Marsupials and Insectivores. National Museum of Natural Sciences RWED Library Call#QL721.z9 - SC1 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Range Extent

  • van Zyll de Jong CG (1983) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Marsupials and Insectivores. National Museum of Natural Sciences RWED Library Call#QL721.z9 - SC1 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Taxonomy

  • van Zyll de Jong CG (1983) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - 1 Marsupials and Insectivores. National Museum of Natural Sciences First edition RWED Library Call #QL721.z9 - B114 Return
  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return