Mole (Mogura) - Mole (English spelling)

Japanese: モグラ(土竜) - モグラ（英語表記）mole

A general term for subterranean mammals belonging to the insectivorous family Talpidae. However, the subfamily Desmaninae, which are part of the Talpidae family and have switched to aquatic life, and the semi-subterranean tribe Acanthurus are usually excluded. Body length is usually 10-15cm, tail length 2-3cm, and weight 40-140g. The forelimbs, which function as a shovel to dig tunnels underground, are particularly well developed, and the hands are wide and have long claws. The neck, which has powerful muscles, is about the same thickness as the torso, and there is no clear division between the head and thorax, with the head and torso being one round cylinder.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

食虫目モグラ科Talpidaeに属する地下生の哺乳類の総称。ただし，モグラ科のうち水生に転じたデスマン亜科と半地下性のヒミズ族などはふつう除かれる。体長は，ふつう10～15cm，尾長2～3cm，体重40～140g。地中にトンネルを掘るシャベル器官としての前肢がとくによく発達し，手は幅広く，つめが長い。強大な筋肉をもつ首は，胴と同程度の太さをもち，外観上は頭部と胸部の間に明りょうな区切りがなく，頭胴は1本の丸い円筒状。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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