They are smaller than mice and eat insects. The pygmy shrew is the smallest mammal in North America, and it lives in the Capital District. The least shrew is the rarest in New York State. Unfortunately, none of the shrews are protected. They must eat every two hours or starve.
Voles have short tails and small eyes and feet.
Though they are usually found in highland forests, they live in ravines in the Pine Bush. The red-backed voles have probably made their home in the Pine Bush for more than 100 years. The Pine Bush is surrounded by development, which the vole would have a hard time crossing. The vole is only found in the ravines, not on the sand dunes, due to its need for water. They eat fungi and rotting logs.