Small Mammals

Small Mammals of Kentucky​

​Overview

Twenty-seven small mammal species are known to occur in Kentucky. This number is based on a statewide small mammal survey conducted by KDFWR that began in 1988 to determine the distribution of all small mammals in KY. The survey utilized pitfall, bottle, and snap traps placed in a variety of habitats on public and private lands. This comprehensive survey produced over 9000 specimens and determined that the Northern Short-tailed shrew was the most widely distributed small mammal in the state. Species with extremely limited distributions included the Southern Short-tailed Shrew, Southern Red-backed Vole, Allegheny Woodrat, Marsh Rice Rat, Cotton Mouse, Hispid Cotton Rat, Masked Shrew, and the Long-tailed Shrew.

One mammal species is endemic to Kentucky, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. The Kentucky red-backed vole, a subspecies of the Southern red-backed vole, is currently known only from portions of eastern Kentucky and is one of Kentucky’s species of greatest conservation need.