This shrew inhabits low elevations, riparian grasslands, and brushy sites in California. It searches beneath leaf litter and rocks for insects and other invertebrates by day and night.
The Buena Vista Lake subspecies (Sorex ornatus relictus) is grayish black with a pale underside, small eyes, and a long, pointed snout.
It remains active throughout the year and moves on the surface by day and night. It feeds on insects and other small invertebrates under logs, rocks, and leaf litter.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.