MAMMALS OF MARYLAND 



29 



Figure 9. — Distribution of Blarina brevicauda kirtlandi. 



(20.5-21.7) ; mastoidal breadth 11.3 (11.0-11.7) ; interorbital breadth 

 5.4 (5.3-5.6) ; maxillary breadth 7.3 (7.1-7.6) ; unicuS)pid toothrow 7.6 

 (7.2-8.2). 



Habitat and habits, — This is one of the most abundant mammals in 

 Maryland. It is found in a wide variety of habitats, but is most numer- 

 ous in damp woods where there is a thick understory. It is also en- 

 countered in meadows and old fields, but not on the Atlantic barrier 

 beaches of the Delmarva Peninsula, where many weeks of trapping on 

 Assateague Island failed to uncover a single specimen. Elsewhere in 

 the State, this shrew vies with the meadow mouse and the white- footed 

 mouse in abundance, but does appear to be cyclical as regards numbers, 

 and in some years is more plentiful than in others. 



The short-tailed shrew, like other Maryland shrews, is active the 

 year around, neither hibernating nor migrating. It is abroad both 

 during daylight hours and at night. It is quick and energetic in its 

 actions, and appears to be constantly on the go during its periods of 

 activity. Its runways zigzag in all directions and lie on the surface of 

 the ground just beneath the vegetation or litter. In these runways, the 

 short-tailed shrew constructs two types of nests. One of these is a 

 small resting nest, and the other a much larger breeding nest. The lat- 

 ter may be some 6 to 10 inches long and averages about 4 inches in 

 diameter. The nests are made of leaves, shredded grasses, and other 



336-897 O— 69 3 



