There are about 290 species of shrews in the family Soricidae. The two were once thought to be one species, but have since been split by taxonomists. Habits and habitats of the two are basically the same, but they appear to have distinct ranges. The two would be nearly impossible to differentiate in the field. The short-tailed shrew is one of the few venomous mammals and a ferocious predator.
Shrews feed primarily on invertebrates like earthworms, slugs, grubs, snails and insects.
It will also take small vertebrates like mice, small snakes and small birds. Some plant material is also consumed. They appear fond of an underground fungus, endogone. They have been known to cache sunflower seeds in captivity. But these nervous high-energy creatures are not suited to captivity.