Sorex hoyi
pygmy shrew

Pygmy shrews, Sorex hoyi, are distributed throughout the boreal region of North America. The northern extent of the species' geographic range spans from Alaska to the east coast of Canada south of the tundra. It ranges as far south as the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and the Appalachian Mountains of the northeastern United States. (Baker, 1983; Kurta, 1995; Nowak, 1999)

Sorex hoyi, although rare locally, occupies a wide variety of habitat types throughout its range. These include coniferous and deciduous forests, swamps, grassy clearings, bogs and floodplains. An equally wide array of microhabitats is acceptable to these animals. Sorex hoyi has been found in diverse microhabitats such as sphagnum moss, moist soil, mammalian tunnel networks, insect tunnel networks, leaf litter, root systems, and stumps. (Baker, 1983)

Sorex hoyi (formerly known as Microsorex hoyi) is the smallest American mammal by weight, weighing in at only 2 to 4 g. These shrews are approximately 80 to 91 mm in total length. The tail accounts for approximately 1/3 of that length at 27 to 32 mm. The head is narrow, the nose pointed, and there are obvious whiskers. The eyes are inconspicous, being covered by short, soft fur. Dorsal coloration varies from gray-brown in the summer to gray in the winter. The underparts are a lighter gray. The dental formula is: 3/1, 1/1, 3/1, 3/3 = 32. (Kurta, 1995)

One male shrew is known to have lived 11 months after hsi capture. It is not known how old he was at the time of capture. Most shrews captured are young, so it is reasonable to assume that not many shrews grow to be very old. It is likely that the maximum lifespan of pygmy shrews in the wild is about two years. (Baker, 1983)

Sorex hoyi is a proficient digger in soft, moist soil and leaf litter. Pygmy shrews can also use tunnel networks made by other animals such as beetles, voles, or moles to find food. In captivity, pygmy shrews alternate between short periods (about 3 minutes) of activity and short periods of rest. When active, pygmy shrews scurry about their habitat in search of food using their keen senses of smell and hearing. When frightened or agitated, they produce a musky odor from their flank glands. Captive pygmy shrews have been known to attack and kill one another. Most shrews are active both day and night, and it seems that pygmy shrews are no exception. (Baker, 1983; Kurta, 1995)

Home Range

The size of home ranges is not known for certain. They may occupy areas about 0.2 ha in size at any given time, but during their lifetimes may move over an area as large as 1.8 ha. (Baker, 1983)

The vocal communication of these animals has been described as a combination of sharp squeaks, low purrs, and high-pitched whistling. The role of these calls in the species is not known.

In addition to vocal communication, these animals are known to produce strong smells from scent glands when they are frightened or excited. This indicates that scents may be important in communication. This is likely to be especially true of individuals identifying potential mates.

Physical contact probably occurs between rivals, mates, and between mothers and their offspring. It is likely that some tactile communication occurs at these times.

Because of their tiny eyes, it is unlikely that visual cues play a large role in the communication of these animals. (Baker, 1983)

Pygmy shrews usually eat insects and other invertebrates. The diet includes ants, flies, spiders, earthworms, beetles, grubs, and caterpillars. Captive pygmy shrews have been known to eat dead vertebrates, such as masked shrews, red-backed voles and white-footed mice. (Baker, 1983; Kurta, 1995; Nowak, 1999)

The musky secretions which ooze from flank glands when a shrew is upset seem to deter most predators. However, there are reports of pygmy shrews being taken by brook trout, garter snakes, hawks, and house cats. (Baker, 1983)

Because they are widespread, pygmy shrews probably have significant impact on their ecosystems. They are predators, and are likely to have some role regulating invertebrate populations. To the extent that these animals serve as food for others, they may also be important to these predators.

Little information is available regarding the negative impact pygmy shrews have on humans. They may prey on beneficial organisms, such as earthworms. However, Baker (1983) suggests that these small mammals have no real impact on humans. (Baker, 1983)

The extent to which these animals affect humans is unknown. They potentially affect pest populations through predation. However, Baker (1983) suggests that there is no real impact of these animals on humans. (Baker, 1983)

It is unclear whether low capture rates for pygmy shrews indicates low population densities of these animals. The low capture rates may be caused by inadequate trapping techniques.

Because of the low capture rate of S. hoyi in the field, relatively little information is available regarding the natural history of this species. Most of the information available is fragmentary and anecdotal.