Montana’s prairie shrew records come from the state’s eastern plains, not its famous mountains. Roosevelt County in the northeast corner leads with 10 reports. Fergus, Phillips, Valley, and Sheridan carry most of the rest. That’s a mixed-grass pattern that matches the species’ prairie loyalties. The documented record sits hundreds of miles east of Glacier and the Custer-Gallatin, in country that feels closer to North Dakota than to the Rockies.
Forty-three records across a quarter century isn’t much. Nearly all dated reports fall between June and September, so the summer lean is partly survey season. NatureServe calls the species vulnerable in Montana, and a record this sparse explains why. There simply aren’t many confirmed points to work from. The plains counties along and east of the Milk River look like the best ground for adding more.
Full species profile
