Eurasian water shrew vs North American least shrew

Neomys fodiens compared with Cryptotis parva

Key Differences

• Eurasian water shrew is Endangered while North American least shrew is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Eurasian water shrew	North American least 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	Neomys	Cryptotis
Species	Neomys fodiens	Cryptotis parva

Evolutionary Relationship

Eurasian water shrew and North American least shrew share a common ancestor at the Family level: Soricidae.

Conservation Status

Eurasian water shrew

EN — Endangered

North American least shrew

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Eurasian water shrew	North American least shrew
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Eurasian water shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

North American least shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Eurasian water shrew

Eurasian water shrew (Neomys fodiens) is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List. At high risk of extinction in the wild, with significant population decline and ongoing threats to survival.