[6] The dental formula for Sorex ornatus has been reported as {{{upper}}}{{{lower}}}3 1 3 31 1 1 3 × 2 = 32[10] ITIS lists the following subspecies:[11] The Buena Vista Lake shrew previously could have been found at the Buena Vista Lake and the Tulare Basin in the swampy areas.

[15] The Buena Vista Lake shrews are more commonly found in moist habitats that have large and dense overstories for cover.

[7] The ornate shrew is found along portions of the west coast of North America and a few near shore islands.

The shrews have been found at altitudes as high as 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) in the San Jacinto Mountains.

Ornate shrews are also less common or have been eliminated from areas of intensive agriculture in central California.

Depending on the time of year, shrews will eat spiders, worms, snails, and slugs.

Shrews need to eat at least 24 insects per day especially during colder seasons when a large portion of their energy goes towards staying warm.

[18] The ornate shrew primarily occupies areas of dense vegetation, which it needs for shelter from predators and places for nesting.

Habitat destruction is the biggest threat to the ornate shew population, as much of their wetland terrain has been impacted by invasive plants and repurposing from humans for agriculture.

[14] Ornate shrews are active at both night and day but are mostly nocturnal during breeding season during spring to late summer.

The rationale cited is the broad geographic range of distribution and a population stable enough that listing the animal as threatened would not be appropriate.

However, they note that geographically restricted groups on the Baja California Peninsula may be vulnerable due to habitat loss from human activity and other environmental stresses.

[1] After efforts beginning in 2016 with 200,000 photos taken and up to 1,500 camera traps, another subspecies, the Catalina shrew (S. ornatus willetti) was photographed in 2020 after not being seen for 15 years.