Star-nosed mole pictures and facts

The Star-nosed Mole (Condylura cristata) has a large habitable range that is found in eastern Canada, and the northeastern upper half of the United States. The mole lives in moist lowland locations and is primarily an insectivore, feasting on invertebrates and arthropods that are small. Its large scaly feet help in its swimming, while the thick and long tail help with fat storage. The mole is about 50-60 grams (0.10-0.11 lbs), has 44 sharp teeth, and is 150-200 millimeters (7-8 inches) in length.

Like its cousins it digs burrows and tunnels for foraging grubs, worms, and other foods, including mollusks too. Many times these tunnels will lead under-water, as an easy escape route. It digs two types – a shallow foraging tunnel, and a much deeper tunnel for protection. The mole remains active during winter months, and has been seen swimming in freezing rivers and icy streams, protected by its thick black to brown fur, which is effective at repelling water and holding in heat. Unfortunately little is known about their social behavior, however it is known that females will give birth to a litter of 4-6, and that they might be colonial. However further study is needed.

Their nose is the most unique thing. This specialized nose is unlike any other found on any mammal, and has been especially adapted to finding food in the ground. Their nose is covered in small, extremely sensitive tentacles that have touch receptors. The nose is about a centimeter in diameter, and has 22 appendages with Elmer’s Organ (found in most moles, but not like in the Star Nosed Mole). Because of the extreme sensitivity of this specialized organ it can identify and then consume anything edible it comes across in under 125 milliseconds. It can decide whether what it has found is food or not in 8 milliseconds, and then consume it rapidly. The normal time for a mammal is around 230 milliseconds.

The Star Nosed Mole (Condylura cristata) belongs to the genus Condylura, and the tribe Condylurini of the subfamily Scalopinae, which is in the family Talpidae. Talpidae has within it the desmans, many other small insectivores and of course the mole. The reason the Star Nosed Mole is listed here under all the groups is that it is the only living member of its genus, tribe, and subfamily. The family Talpidae belongs to the order Soricomorpha, which contains shrews, solenodons (of which both species are highly endangered by rats, and two are extinct), and the extinct West Indian shrews (extinct by rats which took over the niche with the arrival of Columbus). The order belongs to the superorder Laurasiatheria (containing bats, carnivores, even and odd toed ungulates, and many more), and the infraclass Eutheria (placental mammals).

Interesting Fact

The nose of the Star Nosed Mole grows unlike any other appendage on a mammal today, or known in the past. Instead of being formed as an embryo, it instead starts out as bumps, similar to those on a coast mole, however after being born the appendages split from the nose much like a banana peel.