Neurotrichus gibbsii
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%
The American shrew mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii) is the smallest species of mole. It is the only living member of the genus Neurotrichus and the tribe Neurotrichini. It is also known as Gibb's shrew mole and least shrew mole. It is not closely related to the Asian shrew mole (Uropsilus in Urotrichini). Its shrew-like fur and typical mole head make the common name "shrew mole" fitting.
It is found in damp, forested or bushy areas with deep, loose soils in the northwestern United States and southwestern British Columbia. In the most northern part of its habitat, it lives along streams or moist dense woods and in the most southern part of its habitat, it is found in swampy areas that are overgrown with vegetation such as sedges or shrubs.
Like shrews, it has a pelage with guard hairs and underfur. Its fur is dense and soft. The color ranges from dark gray to a sooty bluish-black. Its tail is about half the length of its head and body. Its tail is also covered with scales and scattered coarse hairs. It has a long, flattened snout, and a short but thick, bristled tail. It is the smallest of the American moles. It is about 10 cm (3.9 in) in length... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redwood National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Olympic National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report an American Shrew-mole sighting in Portland on a given day, based on 34 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 18th most-seen of the 27 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 40%, if each day is a fresh chance.
March–August and October
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report an American Shrew-mole in Portland on a given day, against under 5% in September and November–February, the lowest months.
Between 9 am and noon
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most American Shrew-mole sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Among the best
Of the 3 cities where we can rate American Shrew-mole sightings, Portland ranks 2nd at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Seattle (United States, about 10%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the American Shrew-mole is recorded against all the mammals logged in Portland (34 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
