American water shrew vs small tortoiseshell

Sorex palustris compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

  • American water shrew is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank American water shrew small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same Animalia (Animals) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Chordata (Chordates) Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Mammalia (Mammals) Insecta (Insects)
Order Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha) Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family Soricidae Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus Sorex Aglais
Species Sorex palustris Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

American water shrew and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

American water shrew

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute American water shrew small tortoiseshell
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.

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

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.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.

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