Natural History of the Southeastern Shrew, Sorex longirostris Bachman

Abstract

The natural history of Sorex longirostris was studied using more than 400 specimens from Alabama and Georgia and museum and literature data for specimens from throughout the range of the species. This shrew inhabits parts of 16 states and the District of Columbia, and is found from sea level to at least 2500 ft elevation. Population density in two plots in Chambers Co., Alabama, was estimated to be 12-18 individuals per acre (30-44 per ha). The sex ratio was nearly equal. Pregnant females were found from March through October, some during their 1st year of life. Litter size ranged from 1-6. Four age classes, based on relative tooth wear, were determined; adults, representing age classes 2, 3 and 4, comprised a high of 85% of the population in March and decreased to a low of 10% in November. Adults frequently lived to ca. 12 months, and the oldest individual trapped was estimated to be at least 19 months old. Behavior in captivity did not differ significantly from that of other species of Sorex. Echolocation frequency of one captive was recorded at 22 KHz. Preferred habitat is river floodplains, river swamps and freshwater marshes, but specimens have been taken in other habitats. Areas with rotting logs and a ground cover of Japanese honeysuckle are especially favorable for the species; in these areas, with the use of pitfall traps, S. longirostris was the most frequently captured mammal.