FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



White-chinned Shrew. — Sorex leucogenys Osgood. 



Resembling merriami but larger. Upperparts pale brown- 

 ish drab; sides slightly paler; underparts creamy white; 

 chin and sides of face below eye to end of nose pure creamy 

 white to roots of hair; tail light brownish above, white below, 

 tip white. Total length, 4.3 inches; tail vertebrae, 1.5 

 inches; hind foot, .5 inch. Found in the canyon of Beaver 

 River, Beaver County, Utah. 



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Shrews are widely distributed and often are quite abundant 

 in a region, but for all of that are rather infrequently observed. 

 Their small size, quick movements, and habit of working under 

 cover do not give one much opportunity to see these least of all 

 mammals. Although these tiny creatures seem to be most 

 active at night, they are often abroad in full daylight. A trap 

 line usually takes a few Shrews between sunrise and sunset, 

 but many more will be caught after dark. When one does see 

 a Shrew it is usually but a glimpse as the animal rustles among 

 fallen leaves or darts from under one log to another. Shrews 

 of the genus Sorex may be instantly recognized by their small 

 size, very sharp m.uzzle, tiny eyes, and slender form. 



They are such highly organized, nervous creatures that 

 they give instant response to any stimulation. Live Shrews 

 which I have trapped have started violently when I have 

 attempted to give an imitation, rather crudely I fear, of their 

 fane, high-pitched squeak, and I have actually had one die in 

 my hand from nervous shock. This does not necessarily 

 indicate that the Shrew is a timid animal and the records go to 

 show quite the contrary. 



These tiny mammals are highly predatory, courageous 

 hunters and do not hesitate to attack animals several times 

 their own weight. Although living largely on insect food, 

 which can not put up much resistance, Shrews undoubtedly 

 kill and eat Mice whenever the rodents are encountered under 

 circumstances which allow the Shrew to close in a rough-and- 

 tumble fight. Mice put into cages with Shrews are dis- 

 patched with a celerity that indicates this is by no means a new 

 experience for the Shrew at least ; and as a further index to the 

 Shrew character there are accounts to tell us that a cage can 

 not contain more than one Shrew at a time for one will kill and 

 eat the other if two are confined. 



Shrews require an abundance of food and consume a sur- 



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