Sorex palustris (water shrew)
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Eulipotyphla |
| Family | Soricidae |
| Genus | Sorex |
| Species | Sorex palustris |
| Common | water shrew |
| Diet | Insectivore; aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. |
| Habitat | Swims underwater. Pond and stream edges; rushes, sedges, willows. In OR, mountains of central and eastern OR. |
| Description | Formerly in order Soricomorpha. Large dark shrew with long bicolor tail. Back black or dark gray, usually white or buff below. May be slightly brown in summer. Feet large, hind foot partially webbed and fringed with white hair, an adaptation for swimming. |
| Skull Characteristics | Members of the family Soricidae have red pigment on the teeth. |
| Notes | Links to more species information:
Smithsonian Animal Diversity Web |