Glacier Bay water shrew

Glacier Bay water shrew
Conservation status

Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Soricomorpha
Family: Soricidae
Genus: Sorex
Species: S. alaskanus
Binomial name
Sorex alaskanus
Merriam, 1900
Glacier Bay water shrew range

The Glacier Bay water shrew (Sorex alaskanus) is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is endemic to Alaska in the United States.[1] It can swim underwater, and when it stops swimming, air trapped in its fur lets it float back up to the surface. Owing to small hairs on its feet, the water shrew can run across the water. Its fur is water resistant, although if it does get wet it returns to shore to dry itself with its hind feet. It eats aquatic fly nymphs and terrestrial invertebrates.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Woodman, N., Reid, F. & Matson, J. (2008). "Sorex alaskanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  2. Water Shrew Sorex palustris. Nature Guides. Enature.com. Retrieved on 2012-12-30.