Parascalops breweri

photo credit: Northwoods Stewardship Center

ID

  • Short, dense, soft, dark gray coat with lighter underbelly
  • Very small eyes, no external ears
  • Cylindrical body and pointed snout
  • Hairy tail
  • Large, flat, clawed front feet with dense fringe of whiskerlike hairs (Smithsonian)

Distribution

 Credit: Smithsonian Institution

Reproduction

  • Young are born in early May with an average litter size of 4
  • 4 week gestation period (Burt)

Behavior

  • Rely heavily on sense of touch (Smithsonian)
  • If outside of tunnels during the day, can usually be caught by hand
  • Active all winter, but usually stays in deeper, more well insulated tunnels
  • Continue tunnels from generation to generation (Audubon)

Food Habits

  • Eats earthworms and insects (Smithsonian)

Size/Life Cycle

  • Average Measurements: 163 mm (total length), 41-62.8 g (total weight) (Smithsonian)

Predators

  • Cats and other predators (Audubon)

Habitat

  • Woods with well-drained, light soil
  • Brushy areas
  • Lawns and golf courses (Audubon)