Condylura cristata (Linnaeus)

Star-nosed Mole

Don Linzey & Christy Brecht
Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, Virginia 24382

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Species Description

left lateral view of
skull and mandible
dorsal view of skull ventral view of skull

Index
Phylogeny

Taxonomic Category Scientific Name Common Name
Phylum Chordata Chordates
Class Mammalia Mammals
Order Insectivora Insectivores
Family Talpidae Moles
Subfamily Talpinae Moles

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Geographic distribution

The star-nosed mole ranges from Labrador, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario south to central Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Along the Atlantic Coast, the range extends to southeastern Georgia, while in the Appalachian Mountains the range extends south to western South Carolina.

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Habitat

Star-nosed moles are semi-aquatic and prefer low, wet areas such as wet meadows, marshes, and low wet ground near streams. They are accomplished swimmers and divers and frequently forage in water. Tunnels can often be found that open underwater.

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Natural History

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Conservation Biology

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Links to Other Sites

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Acknowledgements

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References

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Last modified: 30 March, 2007