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Glite Dictionary
Sorex palustris

Sorex palustris

9.9
A small shrew that lives in and near water in North America
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Sorex palustris
  • The Sorex palustris is remarkable for its ability to hunt underwater in streams and ponds.

Examples

  • Unlike many other shrew species, Sorex palustris has stiff hairs on its feet to aid in swimming.

  • The Sorex palustris is often found near wetlands.

  • Researchers observed that Sorex palustris prefers habitats with dense vegetation near water bodies.

  • Have you ever seen a Sorex palustris in the wild?

  • Researchers observed that Sorex palustris prefers habitats with dense vegetation near water bodies.

  • The Sorex palustris is remarkable for its ability to hunt underwater in streams and ponds.

  • Unlike many other shrew species, Sorex palustris has stiff hairs on its feet to aid in swimming.

Synonyms

American water shrew
vsSorex palustris
  • US
8.9

A small mammal with dense fur that lives in streams and hunts aquatic insects

gives the basic species identity without habitat and behavior detail

Surface Forms

Sorex palustris singular

Morphology

Sorex + palustris

The binomial combines 'Sorex' (a genus of shrews) with the epithet 'palustris' meaning 'of the marsh', so a learner who knows both parts can directly infer a marsh- or water-associated shrew. Although 'palustris' is a Latin form and may not appear in learner dictionaries, the meaning is compositionally predictable from the constituents.

Etymology

The scientific name Sorex palustris comes from Latin words: Sorex means 'shrew' and palustris means 'of the marsh', so the name points to a shrew that lives in water and wet places.