This small native shrew is greyish brown in colour and can be distinguished from the other shrews, Blarina and Cryptotis, by its long tail measuring 1-2 inches in length. The shrew weighs in at 3-6 grams, has a body length of 3 1/2 – 41/2 inches, and has a long, sharply-pointed snout. The breeding season is from March to October with 2-10 young per litter, and more than 1 litter per year. Some females may reach sexual maturity at ages 4-5 months. The gestation period is 18-22 days. The male may assist in raising the litter. Life expectancy in the wild is 2 years. They may consume more than their own weight each day, eating ground dwelling insects. They use nests constructed of dry leaves or grasses and found in stumps, under logs, or in piles of brush. This species is active both day and night but prefers rainy days. Soil moisture is a critical limiting factor in species distribution. Masked shrews are eaten by hawks, owls, foxes, weasels, shrikes, fish and other predators. |
