Long-tailed mole

The Long-tailed Mole ( Scaptonyx fusicaudus ) is a species of mammal living in Asia from the family of moles ( Talpidae ).

Features

With a body length 6-9 cm, the long-tailed mole of the smallest moles counts at all. His short soft fur is colored slate gray, from the body shape it resembles the authentics moles. The front limbs are much narrower, but shall grave strong claws. The thick, sparsely haired tail, around one third of the body length ( 2-3 inches ).

Dissemination and lifestyle

Long-tailed moles live in southern China (especially in the provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan ) and northern Myanmar. Their habitat are mountainous regions of 2000-4500 meters above sea level. So far, only a few specimens of this species were found, so that is as good as nothing is known about the life and reproduction.

System

The long-tailed mole systematically takes a special position and is managed in a separate tribe, Scaptonychini. Phylogenetically you see him as the sister taxon authentics moles ( Talpini ).