The cinereus shrew or masked shrew (Sorex cinereus) is a small shrew found in Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States. [2] This is the most widely distributed shrew in North America, where it is also known as the common shrew.

Sorex cinereus, commonly called the Masked shrew or common shrew, is the most widely distributed shrew found in North American. Common shrews occur throughout the northern United States, most of Canada, and Alaska.

The masked shrew is a small species of shrew that is 8-11 cm total in length, with a long tail that is 3-5 cm. They have tiny eyes, small ears that are completely covered by fur, and a long, pointed snout.

A medium-sized shrew (adults usually 9 to 11 cm total length, tail 35 to 45 mm, 3 to 6 g) with a sharply pointed snout, beady eyes, and small ears nearly hidden in the fine soft pelage; dorsal pelage varies from dark brown to gray, depending on the season and location.

The masked shrew has the largest range of any North American shrew, and occurs throughout Alaska, Canada, the northern third of the U.S., as well as portions of the Great Basin, Rockies, and Appalachians.

The masked shrew is the most widely distributed shrew. [5] Its range covers most of northern North America extending south as far down to Maryland, along the Rocky Mountains in the west, and to the Appalachians in the east.

An adult masked shrew is between three and one-half and four and one-half inches in length, including the tail. It has a pointed nose, tan feet and gray-brown body fur with the belly fur, underside of the tail and sides a lighter color. The tail is two-colored: light below and dark above.

The Cinereus shrew (Sorex cinereus) is a small mole-like mammal found in the northern parts of North America. This is the most widely distributed shrew in North America, where it is also known as the Common shrew.

Masked shrews are distinguished from S. hadeni by having a bicolored and black tipped tail, and from S. vagrans and S. monticolus by having a longer rostrum and a third unicuspid tooth that is not reduced.

Nov 26, 2005 · Masked shrews are active both day and night during all seasons of the year. Though primarily terrestrial, they are able to swim well. These shrews feed primarily on insects, spiders, worms, and other invertebrates (Linzey and Linzey, 1973).