List of Mammals of Massachusetts - Insectivora

Insectivora

• Star-nosed Mole Condylura cristata (Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties) - Found in loose, wet soil near streams and rivers. Seen more frequently during daytime, where its seen swimming in streams and rivers.

• Hairy-tailed Mole Parascalops breweri (Northeast, central and western mass) - Found in fields, pastures, and young forests. Unlike the Star-nosed Mole this one is rarely seen. A common mole found in lawns.

• Eastern Mole Scalopus aquaticus (Southern and Central mass) - Ranging in the southern Connecticut river valley, southern Plymouth county, Barnstable county, Dukes and Nantucket counties. Found in soil that's not to wet or dry. Seen in sandy or soft soil with rocks. Also seen in daytime.

• Northern Short-tailed Shrew Sorex brevicauda (Statewide) - Found throughout all of Massachusetts. 2 recent subspecies has been observed in Nantucket and Martha Vineyard. Seen mostly in suburban areas. Has a toxic bite used for paralizing prey.

• Long-tailed Shrew Sorex dispar (SC) (Bershire County only) - Rarely seen. Berkshire county is the only place its found. Prefers wet, cold, deep coniferous forests. Feeds on spiders and centipedes hidden in rocks. Little is known about them, but they may live between large rocks, where it uses its tail to balance itself. It also has a long snout used to catch insects hidden below rocks. The Long-tailed Shrew has been linked to the Rock Vole. Both animals live in rocky areas that are damp and near waters, Although the Rock Vole is not found in the commonwealth.

• Smoky Shrew Sorex fumeus (Central and western mass) - Seen mostly in forests and fields. Different from the Masked shrew by being larger and stockier. Also larger than the Long-tailed Shrew, although mistakened for it during winter, when both have the same fur coat.

• American Pygmy Shrew Sorex hoyi (A) (Records in Berkshire County) - One record in Berkshire county is the only conformed proof Pygmy shrews live in Massachusetts.

• Northern Water Shrew Sorex palustris (SC) ( Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties) - Rarely seen. Only 18 records in Massachusetts. Mostly found only a few yards from the nearest stream or river. Different from other shrews by having longer fur. Areas it is reported from is Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Northern Worcester county. The largest shrew found in New England.

• Masked Shrew Sorex cinereus (Statewide) - Commonly seen in forests, Marshes, and Fields. Small populations live throughout Dukes and Nantucket counties. Different from the Smoky shrew by being more slender and smaller. Considered to be the smallest mammal in Massachusetts(Although Pygmy shrews have been reported in Western Mass).