Notiosorex is found in a wide variety of xeric habitats. Nests are usually constructed on the surface of the ground beneath dead or dying agaves, among human litter, beneath piles of firewood and building materials, or in the houses of wood rats. It does not make regular runways. A captive individual was active at night, twitching its snout and vibrissae while foraging about. The diet includes a wide variety of insects and other invertebrates, and captives have eaten dead vertebrates.
Captives appear able to live together with little antagonism.
The known vocalization is a high-pitched squeak, emitted during occasional bouts of fighting or disturbance. Known litter size is three to five.