house pest
Posted by Charles M on March 7, 2006
Q: I have a house pest that is similar to a mouse, yet different. It is smaller than an ordinary deer mouse, similar in grey coloring, very small eyes and ears, a very pointed nose with very short front feet. I caught it in a mouse trap but it just doesn't look like an ordinary mouse. Any ideas. I live in an old farmhouse in very rural Quebec.
State: Quebec
A: May I compliment you on your description - very helpful. You have a shrew, not a rodent at all. I'm not entirely sure which species of shrew but most likely the Northern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda). These little guys are not rodents but insectivors. They do eat plant material now and then but mostly small animals. I realize people don't like the idea of having "unwanted guests" in their homes but shrews don't gnaw and are actually good exterminators. So, you decide how you want to treat him - outside or in. Anyway, you have been afforded a really good look at an animal that most people assume is a mouse and go no further. Take a look at our unit on shrews www.enaturalist.org - this should give you some additional info. Thanks so much for your question.
John Wiessinger ( March 7, 2006)