The Mount Lyell shrew was discovered more than 100 years ago but has never been photographed alive. Aside from general information standards for all shrews, scientists know very little about the tiny mammal species. The little critter gets its name from Mount Lyell, the area in Yosemite National Park where it resides.
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The tiny little mammal species is smaller than a field mouse. The team of California Academy of Sciences student researchers captured the photographs. The team worked around the clock setting traps. They caught a total of 15 specimens, with five being Mount Lyell shrews. The ten non-Lyell shrews were from three different species.
Due to the elusive nature of this tiny animal, scientists know very little about the species. The student team collaborated with the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (MVZ) at the University of California, Berkeley. The five specimens had genetic testing by the California Academy of Sciences, positively identifying the species.

The photographs are the first ever for this mammal species. The researchers were able to get good images of all five specimens. The brief interlude with this tiny shrew offers some insight into the animal, but more studies will be necessary. Scientists suspect this species is very susceptible to climate change due to a dependence on rapidly diminishing high-altitude habitats.
The Challenge Of Examining This Elusive Mammal Species
The research team obtained special permits to trap, handle, and document these little critters. The Mount Lyell shrew is difficult to catch, but the biggest challenge is in keeping specimens alive. The little animals have such a fast metabolism that they must eat frequently. The team used a series of holes lined with smooth cups as “pitfall” traps. They added mealworms and cat food to the cups and settled in. They didn’t have a long wait and caught their first Mount Lyell within the first two hours.
The low-tech traps proved very effective, and they caught 18 in total. The little shrews are so fast that three got away before they could examine and photograph them. During the examinations and photograph sessions, the little shrews were well-fed. Once the students completed their documentation, the animals were released back to their natural habitat.
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