Fog shrew

The fog shrew (Sorex sonomae) is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is endemic to northern California and Oregon in the United States.[1]

Fog shrew
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Eulipotyphla
Family:	Soricidae
Genus:	Sorex
Species:	S. sonomae
Binomial name
Sorex sonomae Jackson, 1921
Fog Shrew range

Description

S. sonomae is categorized as the "largest" shrew found on the "Pacific Coast" of the United States.[2] It is recognized by its "reddish, light-brown" fur and a tail that "is almost ly colored."[3] Some information is available on the fog shrew's dentition; however, there is no citable reference for the dental formula. One paper has found the dental formula of the fog shrew to be 3.1.3.32.0.1.3 (x 2 = 32 total teeth), but there is debate in the academic community.[4] A conservative estimate has an adult fog shrew ranging in total length from 120-158mm,[3] but has been observed to have a wider range in total length (105-180mm).[5] The weight range for the fog shrew has varies in different sources, but fall within the range of 5.5-18g.[3][5]

Habitat and Range

The fog shrew is found in areas of "chaparral, coastal coniferous forests, and marshy areas."[6][3] The areas in which individuals live tend to be moist environments. This includes being near creeks and on the forest floor under fallen trees and other debris.[3][6]

The southern most range of S. sonomae is Marin County near the city of Sonoma in California and range north to the "central coast of Oregon."[3] They tend to stay closer to the coast and not move far inland unless they are near a body of water.

Diet

Like most shrews, S. sonomae is an insectivore.[3] The fog shrew's diet consists mainly of "centipedes and spiders", but has also been known to eat "slugs and snails."[3]

References

1. Hammerson, G. (2008). "Sorex sonomae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2010.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)old-form url
2. "Fog Shrew - Sorex sonomae - Overview - Encyclopedia of Life". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
3. 1921-, Jameson, E. W. (Everett Williams) (2004). Mammals of California. Peeters, Hans J., Jameson, E. W. (Everett Williams), 1921- (Rev. ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 9780520235823. OCLC 52942735.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
4. Hutterer, Rainer (December 2017). "Homology of unicuspids and tooth nomenclature in shrews". Special Publication of the International Society of Shrew Biologists. 1: 397–404.
5. "North American Mammals: Sorex sonomae : Species Information". naturalhistory.si.edu. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
6. "Sorex sonomae (Fog Shrew)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2017-12-04.old-form url