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Shrew Moles Moles and Desmans: Talpidae - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Moles, Shrew Moles, Desmans, And People, Conservation Status - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET

water species accounts live

EASTERN MOLE (Scalopus aquaticus): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
STAR-NOSED MOLE (Condylura cristata): SPECIES ACCOUNTS

Moles, shrew moles, and desmans are found in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and much of Europe and Asia.

About three-quarters of the species in this family live much of their lives underground. A few live above ground on land, and others spend a good deal of their time in or near the water. Those that prefer the water usually make their homes near fresh water, but a few will also enter brackish water, water that is somewhat salty.

The primary diet among the moles is insects, earthworms, centipedes, and other invertebrates, animals without backbones, but many will also eat roots and other parts of plants. Water-living species may also include frogs and fish in their diet.

Additional Topics

Shrew Moles Moles and Desmans: Talpidae - Physical Characteristics

Shrew Moles Moles and Desmans: Talpidae - Behavior And Reproduction

Most moles have long and narrow snouts that they are able to wiggle and bend. The snout tip has tiny Elmer's organs that the mole uses to sense its environment and to find prey. Desmans that spend a good amount of time underwater use their snouts for several purposes. In one common behavior, a desman will stick just its snout tip out of the water to sniff the air for prey as well as predato…

Shrew Moles Moles and Desmans: Talpidae - Moles, Shrew Moles, Desmans, And People

Shrew Moles Moles and Desmans: Talpidae - Conservation Status

Shrew Moles Moles and Desmans: Talpidae - Eastern Mole (scalopus Aquaticus): Species Accounts

Physical characteristics: Eastern moles are shiny grayish, occasionally black, moles with very large, clawed, shovel-like front feet that are well-suited for digging. A typical adult, which has a short tail, may be 5.9 to 7.9 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) long and weigh 3.2 to 5.0 ounces (90 to 143 grams). Geographic range: Eastern moles are found in the eastern United States, far southern Canada,…

Shrew Moles Moles and Desmans: Talpidae - Star-nosed Mole (condylura Cristata): Species Accounts

Physical characteristics: This dark-brown mole is best-known for the collection of twenty-two short and pink, fleshy tentacles on the tip of its snout. They have wide, clawed hands, and a tail that is almost as long as their body. Adults range from 6.1 to 8.1 inches (15.5 to 20.5 centimeters) and weigh 1.1 to 3.0 ounces (30 to 85 grams). Geographic range: Star-nosed moles are found in the eastern …

Tree Shrews: Scandentia - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Tree Shrews And People, Conservation Status, Common Tree Shrew (tupaia Glis): Species Account - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET [next] [back] Raccoons and Relatives: Procyonidae - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Procyonids And People, Northern Raccoon (procyon Lotor): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, CONSERVATION STATUS

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