Shrews and moles both belong to the order of insectivores, so called
because their diet consists principally of insects. No moles have been
reported for the Park as yet. The nervous little shrew, smallest of all
North American mammals, is distinctly mouse-like at first glance. Closer
inspection, however, will reveal a very small, darting animal with long,
pointed, quivering nose, tiny or hidden eyes and ears, a slender body,
and a gray, velvet-like fur that brushes easily either way. Even the
smallest shrews have razor-like teeth and vicious tempers, which give
members of the mouse world great fear of these terrible little
assassins. They will not hesitate to leap on fat mice twice their size
and kill them with their tiny jaws. They live on the ground and are
active during both day and night hours. Being difficult to observe, they
are usually studied in the field by trapping techniques. Meadows, damp
places, and rotted logs are favorite habitats. The kinds of shrews found
in the Park are indicated below with their relative abundance. Complete
identification may be made by reference to larger texts.