Order Eulipotyphia in Maine
 (Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia)

a project of
Maine Natural History Observatory
reproduced here with the permission of the Observatory

(updated 21 February 2025)



The page below is part of the Maine Biota Project of the Maine Natural History Observatory and is reproduced here with the permission of the Observatory.

You are invited to send to info@vfthomas.com additions/corrections to the list of mammals as well as information for the tabular key at the bottom of this page that will help distinguish one order from another. Also, information is needed for pages that are linked to below. This page will be updated as your input is received. When this page has been substantially expanded/improved, it will replace the current page now on the website of the Maine Natural History Observatory. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.


Maine is home to 8 species in 4 genera in 2 families.

If you know which species you have or are interested in learning about, click on the appropriate species link below. Otherwise, to determine which genus that the animal you are trying to identify belongs to, refer to the tabular key immediately below the species list.

Family Soricidae (2 genera, 6 species)
   Blarina (1 species)
      Blarina brevicauda - northern short-tailed shrew
   Sorex (5 species)
      Sorex cinereus - masked shrew
      Sorex dispar - rock shrew
      Sorex fumeus - smoky shrew
      Sorex hoyi - pigmy shrew
      Sorex palustris - American water shrew
Family Talpidae (2 genera, 2 species)
   Condylura (1 species)
      Condylura cristata - star-nosed mole
   Parascalops (1 species)
      Parascalops breweri - hairy-tailed mole





Key to the families of Order Eulipotyphia in Maine
front feet width front feet orientation char. 3 char. 4 char. 5
Soricidae more or less
same width as hind feet		 facing downward
Talpidae much wider than hind feet facing outward


Family Soricidae (shrew family)
[information to be added]

Key to the genera of family Soricidae in Maine
tail length char. 2 char. 3 char. 4 char. 5
Blarina short
Sorex long

Blarina ([genus name?])
[information to be added]

Blarina brevicauda (northern short-tailed shrew) - [information to be added]


Sorex ([genus name?])
[information to be added]

Key to the species of the genus Sorex in Maine
char. 1 char. 2 char. 3 char. 4 char. 5
S. cinereus
S. dispar
S. fumeus
S. hoyi
S. palustris

Sorex cinereus (masked shrew) - [information to be added]

Sorex dispar (rock shrew) - [information to be added]

Sorex fumeus (smokey shrew) - [information to be added]

Sorex hoyi (pygmy shrew) - [information to be added]

Sorex palustris (American water shrew) - [information to be added]


Family Talpidae (mole family)
[information to be added]

Key to the genera of family Talpidae in Maine
nose tip char. 2 char. 3 char. 4 char. 5
Condylura flat
Parascalops pointed

Candylura ([genus name?])
[information to be added]

Candylura cristata (star-nosed mole) - [information to be added]


Parascalops ([genus name?])
[information to be added]

Prarscalops breweri (hairy-tailed mole) - venomous