This very small shrew has grayish-brown fur that becomes paler and grayer on the back in winter. MDD lists it in eight western U.S. states; one Montana study found it most often in riparian and sagebrush-grass habitats.
In summer, the upper fur is brown and the underside is grayish to buff. The tail is darker above and buff below; winter fur is paler and grayer, especially on the back.
In a southeastern Montana study it was most abundant in riparian and sagebrush-grass habitat. The study reported greater litter cover at occupied sites and suggested that humidity related to litter and vegetation affects shrew distribution.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.