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The northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda) is the largest shrew in the genus Blarina, [3] and occurs in the northeastern region of North America. [4] It is a semifossorial, highly active, and voracious insectivore and is present in a variety of habitats like broadleaved and pine forests among shrubs and hedges as well as grassy river banks. [5]
All shrews are tiny, most no larger than a mouse. The largest species is the Asian house shrew (Suncus murinus) of tropical Asia, which is about 15 cm (6 in) long and weighs around 100 g (3 + 1 ⁄ 2 oz) [2] The Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus), at about 3.5 cm (1 + 3 ⁄ 8 in) and 1.8 grams (28 grains), is the smallest known living terrestrial mammal.
Numerous place names in Pennsylvania and West Virginia attest to how frequently these animals were encountered in the state. In the late 18th century, European hunters and explorers in the Trans-Allegheny region of the state reported seeing sizable populations, especially along the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers.
The northern short-tailed shrew is one of several venomous shrews. The northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda), Mediterranean water shrew (Neomys anomalus), and Eurasian water shrew (Neomys fodiens) are capable of delivering a venomous bite.
The order Eulipotyphla consists of 486 extant species belonging to 53 genera.This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species. Modern molecular studies indicate that the 53 genera can be grouped into 4 families, and some of these families are subdivided into named subfamilies.
A much larger shrew, the northern short-tailed shrew at around 21 g (0.74 oz), was the leading prey in Glenwood, Minnesota at 36% of 81 prey items. [110] This prey species also is taken quite regularly in several other parts of the range, as well as a closely-related species. [151]
More recently, the venom has been found to be related to that of the northern short-tailed shrew and it is mostly composed of kallikreins KLK1, serine proteases that prevent blood clotting, cause hypotension and ultimately end up being fatal to the prey.
Notiosorex shrews have a fossil history that extends to the Miocene (i.e., mid-Hemphillian). The geographic distribution of the genus has always been in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.