Behavior and ecology Marsh shrew

marsh shrew c. hart merriam s original 1884 description

it active throughout year, @ night. gestation 3 weeks, , female has litter of 3 or 4 young. nests in wild, built shredded bark, in tunnel or under log. marsh shrews typically live 18 months, , males not thought reach sexual maturity during first summer. since lifespan short, apparently breed 1 season. although no breeding data exist british columbia, breeding season elsewhere late january late august; young born in march. number of litters female rears unknown.

the strong odor associated marsh shrews (in common other long-tailed shrews) may means of communication. similar other shrews, have poor eyesight. if marsh shrew placed in foreign environment (such along edge of raised surface), run off edge , continue run after landing on surface below. landing in water, dives beneath surface. marsh shrews trapped in sunken cans, possibly due inability see edges of surfaces drop. in captivity vocalize when displaced or scuffle other animals in cage, twittering shrilly if disturbed while eating or in confrontation on food (such worm). although uncertain whether marsh shrews cache (or hoard) food in wild, in captivity set aside nightcrawlers in corner of cage later consumption; no other food items set aside in fashion.

acarine parasites include glycyphagidae (glycyphagus hypudaei , orycteroxenus soricis); laelapidae (androlaelaps fahrenholzi, echinonyssus obsoletus, haemogamasus occidentalis , haemogamasus reidi); listrophoridae (listrophorus mexicanus); myobiidae (amorphacarus hengererorum, amorphacarus soricis, protomyobia atophyracis , protomyobia brevisetosa), , pygmephoridae (pygmephorus horridus , pygmephorus whitakeri). probable predators include owls, fish , pacific giant salamander.