This species occurs throughout the whole territory of Latvia. It lives near overgrown water bodies, wet meadows, forests and swamps and winters inters in places where the coastal soil does not freeze and free water can be found. It feeds not only on invertebrates, but also on small fish, amphibians, rodents and young birds. Water shrew swims and dives well. The species has a rare property among mammals – their salivary glands secrete a neuroparalytic toxin that can paralyze the victim.