Mammal Web Page


7 Levels of Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Insectivora
Family	Talpidae
Genus	Condulura
Species	cristatae

~Description~

The Star-Nosed Mole has dark, black fur that is waterproof. The body length (from head to the butt) is 100 to 127 mm. The tail is scaled, annulated, and may swell during winter/early spring do to lack of fat. The tail length may range from 56 to 84 mm. The eyes are small but visible. The ears are hardly externally evident.

~Habitat~

The Star-Nosed Mole likes to live in damp or muddy soil in which a network of shallow tunnels is constructed. Some of these tunnels open directly into some if the bodies of water.

~Home Range~

The Star-Nosed Mole home range is from Manitoba to Labrador in Canada, and south into Minnesota, the Great Lakes region, across to the north east as far as Georgia.

~Food and Diet~

The Star-Nosed Mole underwater diet consists of aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish But, when the mole is underground, it likes to eat earthworms.

~Life Cycle and the Life Span~

The Star-Nosed Mole has a litter of two to seven young. The young are born in a dry nest of vegetation between mid-April and Mid-June. The young stay with their parents for only about three weeks of age, at which time they are 2/3 grown. Sexual maturity starts at ten months for both sexes. The average life of the Star-Nosed Mole is about three years, but no one is really sure.

~Survival~

The Star-Nosed Mole survives because they can hide in the ground and underwater. The only predator of this mole is the Screech Owls.

~Fun Facts~

1.The Star-Nosed Mole may well be the most sensitive mammal in the world because of it's nose. 2. 21-29 fleshy projections coming out of the nose helps it feel around and search for food. 3.The Star-Nosed Mole is the best swimmer out of all of the moles. 4.Some Star-Nosed Moles have claws as big as a bears claws! 5.The Star-Nosed Mole is not commonly found in backyards. 6.The Star-Nosed Mole's nose is in the shape of a star!

~Human Impact~

Humans have a bad impact on the Star-Nosed Moles. We have a bad impact on Star-Nosed Moles because we tear down the habitats and home ranges that the moles live in. Also, because Star-Nosed Moles like to swim, we have polluted the water in it. Next, the soil in the ground has also been polluted with waste and other chemicals and bacteria that humans throw out to decompose.

~References~

~World Book, So-Sz, vol. 18, 1990

Description	Habitat	Range	Food	Life Cycle
Survival	Facts	Human Impact	References	Links