Star-nosed Mole (redirected from Condylura cristata)

Star-nosed Mole 

(Condylura cristata), an insectivorous mammal of the family Talpidae. In appearance it resembles the common mole. The length of the body is 100–127 mm, and that of the tail, 55–85 mm. The animal weighs 40–80 g. Its forefeet are weaker than those of other moles. At the tip of the muzzle there is a bare oval disk with fleshy, fringed edges resembling a many-rayed star (hence the name). The fur is dark brown or black. The star-nosed mole is distributed in North America (southeastern Canada and northeastern United States). A burrowing animal, it leads an underground mode of existence. It inhabits meadows, kitchen gardens, gardens, and the borders of forests, where the soil is soft and suitable for burrowing, and feeds on earthworms and insects in the soil. The star-nosed mole bears one litter of two to seven young per year.