Notoryctidae

Notoryctidae [‚nōd·ə′rik·tə‚dē]

(paleontology)

An extinct family of Australian insectivorous mammals in the order Marsupialia.

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Notoryctidae 

(marsupial moles), a family of mammals of the order Marsupialia. The cylindrical body measures 15–18 cm in length, and the tail 1–2 cm. There is a horny shield on the nose. External ears are absent. The eyes are reduced, concealed under the skin, and without lenses. The third and fourth digits of the forefeet have powerful claws adapted for burrowing. The short, thick fur varies in color from almost white to yellowish red. The pouch opens posteriorly. There is one genus with two species, which are distributed in southern, central, and western Australia. Marsupial moles inhabit sandy and scrub semideserts and steppes. They generally do not dig permanent burrows but move through the soil close to the surface. The diet consists of soil invertebrates.