See text The genus Sorex includes many of the common shrews of Eurasia and North America, and contains at least 142 known species and subspecies.

Members of this genus, known as long-tailed shrews, are the only members of the tribe Soricini of the subfamily Soricinae (red-toothed shrews).

These animals have long, pointed snouts, small ears, which are often not visible, and scent glands located on the sides of their bodies.

As their eyesight is generally poor, they rely on hearing and smell to locate their prey, mainly insects.

Distinguishing between species without examining the dental pattern is often difficult.