American Shrew Mole

The American Shrew Mole, Neurotrichus gibbsii, is the smallest North American mole. It is the only member of genus Neurotrichus.

It is found in damp forested or bushy areas with deep loose soils in the western United States and southwestern British Columbia.

It has dark grey fur, a long flattened snout and has a long bristled tail. It is about 10 cm in length including a 3 cm long tail and weighs about 10 g. Its front paws are smaller and do not face outwards from the body as in other North American moles and so are more similar to those of shrews. They have 36 teeth, which are white-tipped, unlike those of North American shrews, which are reddish.

This mole is often active above ground, foraging in leaf litter for earthworms, insects, snails and slugs. They are able to climb bushes. Predators include owls, hawks and mustelids.

Females have litters with 1 to 4 young.