The American water shrew or northern water shrew (Sorex palustris) is a shrew found in the nearctic faunal region located throughout the mountain ranges of the northern United States and in Canada and Alaska. The organism resides in semi-aquatic habitats, When underwater, the animal appears to have a silver veneer on account of its water repellent fur trapping air bubbles. The snout features vibrissae which in the case of water shrews are specialized for aquatic hunting. Like other small mammals who spend part of their time in water, American water shrews have short hairs covering their hind limbs to bolster each paddle with increased surface area, an adaptation not dissimilar to flippers. Externally the American water shrew is indistinguishable from the western water shrew, a genetically distinct species whose morphology differs from the American water shrew strictly over subtle cranial and dental aspects. The American water shrew has a large skull ranging from and width and has a dental formula of teeth.
left|250px|thumb|American water shrew with newborn young.
American water shrews prefer to inhabit streams of higher inclines, although they have been observed in a variety of water bodies including more gently sloping streams, springs, mud flats, and even beaver dens. Hence their name, they are rarely found far from water since their diet consists almost entirely of small aquatic invertebrates and fishes.