The
American shrew mole (
Neurotrichus gibbsii) is the smallest North American
mole. It is the only living member of the genus
Neurotrichus and the tribe
Neurotrichini. It is also known as Gibb's shrew mole and least shrew mole. It is not closely related to the Asian shrew mole (
Uropsilus in
Urotrichini). The reason that it is called a "shrew mole" instead of being called either a "shrew" or a "mole" is because of its fur, which is a characteristic of shrews and its large head and heavy
dentition, which is characteristic of moles.