One parasite which lives within the diaphragm of shrews spends part of its life cycle infecting marten. In agricultural areas they are beneficial because they may eat insect pests. In some areas shrews are a pest because they will eat any meat and are able to climb up on shelves and eat meat which has been left uncovered. With the possible exception of the Pribilof Island shrew, none of Alaska's shrews have any conservation problems. If the habitat is vastly altered, the Pribilof Island shrew, which is restricted to St Paul Island of the Pribilof Island group, may become rare.
Scientists still debate over the identity and genetic relationships of some shrew species.
As a result, the specific names have been changing and older publications may have different names for our shrews. Scientists who study shrews use pitfall cans to catch them. There are still many particulars about Alaska's shrews which are unknown such as exact distribution, breeding cycles, and numbers. All Rights Reserved .