Shrews That Are Native to Virginia

The rich natural habitats in Virginia are home to numerous mammal species, from the large black bear to tiny rodents. The state alone is home to 13 species and subspecies of shrew belonging to just three genera of the Soricidae family. More than 300 species belong to this family. All of these shrews are small with long, pointed skulls, and some are venomous.

  1. Northern and Southern Short-Tailed Shrews

    • The northern short-tailed shrew is found in the northwestern region of the state. This small animal grows to 4.5 inches in length on average. The dismal swamp short-tailed shrew is a large subspecies of the northern variety; it grows to 4.5 to 6 inches long. It is found in small, isolated populations in southeast and northeast Virginia. Kirtland's short-tailed is a third subspecies that is slightly smaller, barely 5 inches, and is found throughout much of the state.

      The southern short-tailed shrew is a species of its own that is similar to the northern variety, but generally smaller. It grows to between 3 and 5 inches and is found mostly in the southeastern portion of Virginia.

    Southeastern Shrew

    • The southeastern shrew is a small species that grows to between 2 to 4 inches in length. It is found throughout much of Virginia except for northernmost border. It also has a subspecies in the state, the dismal swamp southeastern shrew. This subspecies is almost identical in size and appearance but is slightly duller in color. It is found only in a small area in the southeast part of the state.

    Masked Shrews

    • The ashen masked shrew is a small species that grows to just 4.5 inches in length, nose to tail. It is grayish-brown and is found mostly in the western half of Virginia. The masked shrew is a subspecies of the same species and grows to the same size. It is similar in appearance to the ashen masked and also is found in the western part of the state.

    Long-Tailed Shrews

    • The genus Sorex is represented in Virginia by four species. The American water shrew grows up to 6 inches in length and is the largest long-tailed shrew in the eastern United States. It is found in small populations in north-central Virginia. The long-tailed shrew grows to more than 5 inches in length and is slate gray. It is found mainly in northwestern regions of the state.

      The pygmy shrew is a small species that grows to around 4 inches, weighs less than a dime and is found throughout the state. The smoky shrew grows to 4.5 inches long and is found in the western half of the state.

    Least Shrew

    • The least shrew is a member of the small-eared genus of shrews known as Cryptotis. It is barely 5 inches long and can be found throughout Virginia.