Star-nosed mole

It is an animal of the family Tallidae in the order Insectivora of the class Mammalia. It is found in southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. Its head and body length is 12-13 cm, and its tail length is 6.5-8.4 cm. Its body and limbs are similar to those of an ordinary mole, but it has a ring of fleshy protrusions at the end of its snout and a long tail. Its eyes and ears are degenerate. Its back is nearly black, and its underside is a slightly lighter color. Its teeth are

They have a total of 44 tails. They are found in forests and grasslands near water, are semi-subterranean, and are active day and night. The star-shaped fleshy protrusions on their snouts are excellent for antennae, and they search for and eat insects and earthworms. They usually give birth to 5 or 6 young in the spring. Their tails are thin in summer and thick in winter.

[Ei Abe]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

哺乳(ほにゅう)綱食虫目モグラ科の動物。カナダ南東部とアメリカ合衆国東部に分布する。頭胴長12～13センチメートル、尾長6.5～8.4センチメートル。体や手足は普通のモグラに似るが、吻(ふん)端に肉質の突起が輪状に並び、尾が長い。目や耳は退化している。背面は黒色に近く、下面はやや淡色。歯式は

で合計44本。森林や草原の水辺に多く、半地下性で、昼夜を問わず活動する。鼻の星形の肉突起は触覚に優れ、昆虫やミミズを探して食べる。春に通常5、6子を産む。尾は夏に細く、冬に太くなる。

［阿部　永］

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