Star-nosed mole

Star-nosed mole

The star-nosed mole is seven to seven and a half inches. Its tail is two and a half to three inches long. It weighs less then two ounces. It is an excellent swimmer. Its tail has little hair and is scaly. In the winter the tail fattens up, storing fat from food for when food resources are in short supply. Its fur is dense and such a dark brown that it is almost black. The star-nosed mole is probably the most easily recognized because of its namesake. It nose has twenty two flesh rays or tentacles around the nostrils. This allows the star-nosed mole to sniff and feel prey in the water. It forages among reeds, mosses and other vegetation using its star nose for guidance. While hunting, the rays around its nose are in constant motion, wriggling and flexing.

Behavioral Characteristics

The star-nosed mole is a solitary creature. It spends the majority of its life span alone. Usually it will only associate others of its kind when it is a mother raising her young or when it is a male and a female mating. However, unlike other moles, and most solitary animals, the star-nosed mole will tolerate meeting and the presence of others of its kind. The tunnels of this species are about one and half inches in diameter and two to twenty four inches deep.

Life Cycle

The star-nosed mole's breeding season occurs in mid March through April. The females breed only once a year. However, if the first litter is unsuccessful, she may breed again. Gestation or pregnancy lasts around forty five days. Litters range from two to seven young but the average is five. The young suckle for thirty days and then are weaned. As soon as they are weaned, or within a day or two following, the young will disperse from their mother. Sexually maturity for both the males and the females of the species occurs at around then months old. The lifespan of the star-nosed mole is unknown. However, based on the fact that they have only one litter per year it is believed that they likely live for three or four years. One captive star-nosed mole was recorded to live for two years in captivity.

Diet

The star-nosed mole has a varied diet that includes leeches, snails, small fish, other aquatic prey and soil animals such as worms and grubs.

Habitat

The star-nosed mole is found in south east Canada and in north east United States.

Conservation

is classified as least concern on the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) red list of threatened species. This classification is the lowest and means the species has a large widespread, population and no current threats that would likely decrease its population in the foreseeable future.