Short-faced mole

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Short-faced mole
Systematics
Order : Insect eater (Eulipotyphla)
Family : Moles (Talpidae)
Subfamily : Old World Moles (Talpinae)
Tribe : Actual moles (Talpini)
Genre : Scaptochirus
Type : Short-faced mole
Scientific name of the  genus
Scaptochirus
Milne-Edwards , 1867
Scientific name of the  species
Scaptochirus moschatus
Milne-Edwards , 1867

The short-faced mole ( Scaptochirus moschatus ) is a species of mammal from the mole family (Talpidae) living in China .

features

Short-faced moles have the typical physique of the actual moles with a cylindrical body and forelimbs transformed into digging tools. However, they differ from other moles in their head structure: the muzzle is comparatively short and wide, the molars are larger, but the number of premolars is reduced. The fur is colored uniformly gray-brown. These animals reach a head body length of around 14 centimeters, plus a tail 1 to 1.5 centimeters long.

Distribution and way of life

Distribution area of ​​the short-faced mole

Short-faced moles are native to northeast China , their range includes the provinces of Hebei , Shandong , Shaanxi and Shanxi . Their habitat is likely to be dry, sandy soils.

Little is known about the way of life of these animals, but it should agree with that of the other real moles. According to this, they mostly live underground, where they set up passage systems. Their diet consists primarily of insect larvae.

According to the IUCN, the species is not an endangered species.

Systematics

The short-faced mole is the only member of the genus Scaptochirus . This position is justified by differences in the structure and number of teeth. Older systematics classify it - like most other real moles - still in the genus Talpa .

literature

  • Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .

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