The western pygmy shrew is the smallest mammal found in Montana. They live in the northwest and northeast corners of the state.
Measuring only about 2- to 4-inches long, including their tail, the tiny animals have reddish brown or grayish-brown fur, according to the Montana Field Guide.
Ten other shrew species call Montana home, the most common being the dusky and masked shrew, according to Montana State University.
Here are some cool shrew facts: Shrews must eat almost constantly to stay alive. They use high-pitched squeaks to help them find food, which is called echolocation. This is also how bats find food. Shrews have scent glands that can make dogs and cats sick if they try to eat them. One species of shrew lives in the water. Young shrews will sometimes travel together by forming a chain, each one grabbing the tail of the shrew in front of it to follow their mother. This is called caravanning…