What is this Mystery Creature That Sits Like a Person?

11/19/2012

I received these photos of a tiny and adorable woodland creature from one of my colleagues at the National Wildlife Federation.  The way it's sitting on its little bottom just like a person immediately conjures up images of characters from beloved childhood tales such as The Wind in the Willows, The Secret of Nimh or The Adventures of Frog and Toad.  In fact, this strange-looking animal plays a role in all of these stories, as well as in NWF's own Ranger Rick adventures.

The photos were taken in the Washington, DC area. It's also one of the very few venomous mammals, making it a truly odd animal. 

Can you you identify it?  

I'll send a signed copy of my book Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife to the first person who correctly identifies it in the comments section below.

Photos by Amie Aguiar as shared by Hugo Pacheco.

See my TV appearances and learn how to protect wildlife with National Wildlife Federation.

Comments

[StevieMcD]

Great Picture ! Looks like a Shrew to me....

[Nicolemonkiewicz]

Northern Short-tailed Shrew?

[mjexcels108]

A mole

[David Mizejewski]

Nicole is the winner!! Congrats. Send me your mailing address to mizejewski@nwf.org and I'll send your book out next week.

Here's more info on the northern short-tailed shrew:
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/information/?s=050012

[LoriF]

Definately a shrew. Unfortunately the cats bring them home very often and the neighbors mistake them as moles.so cute and not distructive.