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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.
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.
The American, or northern, short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda) The woodland vole (Microtus pinetorum) The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), typical of Canada, reaches its southernmost distribution in West Virginia.
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.
The North American least shrew will also sometimes live inside beehives and eat all the larvae. It will often share its food with other shrews. It eats more than its body weight each day and is known to store food. [4] [7] The North American least shrew makes its home in burrows or shallow runways under flat stones or fallen logs.
The coyote is the state animal of South Dakota. This list of mammals of South Dakota includes species native to the U.S. state of South Dakota. [1] [2] [3] Three species that are extirpated from the state are the mountain goat, gray wolf, and grizzly bear.
The American water shrew or northern water shrew (Sorex palustris) is a shrew found in the nearctic faunal region located throughout the mountain ranges of the northern United States and in Canada and Alaska. [3] The organism resides in semi-aquatic habitats, [4] and is known for being the smallest mammalian diver. [5]