American water shrew vs Eurasian pygmy shrew

Sorex palustris compared with Sorex minutus

Key Differences

• American water shrew is Least Concern while Eurasian pygmy shrew is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	American water shrew	Eurasian pygmy shrew
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order same	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)
Family same	Soricidae	Soricidae
Genus same	Sorex	Sorex
Species	Sorex palustris	Sorex minutus

Evolutionary Relationship

American water shrew and Eurasian pygmy shrew share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Sorex.

Conservation Status

American water shrew

LC — Least Concern

Eurasian pygmy shrew

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	American water shrew	Eurasian pygmy shrew
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

American water shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in United States.

Eurasian pygmy shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

American water shrew

The American water shrew (Sorex palustris) is a species in the genus Sorex. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Eurasian pygmy shrew

Eurasian pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Facing a high risk of endangerment in the wild, with declining populations and increasing habitat pressure.