Desman
Russian Desman ( Desmana moschata)
- Russian Desman ( Desmana moschata)
- Pyrenean Desman ( Galemys pyrenaicus )
The Desmane ( Desmanini ) are a tribe ( genus group) the family of moles ( Talpidae ). They are adapted by all moles best to the water of life. The group includes two species, the Russian Desman and the Pyrenean Desman.
Features
With a body length 11-21 centimeters ( which must be added an equally long tail comes ) and weighing up to 220 grams, they are the largest representatives of moles. The long nose is trunk-like developed and very mobile. The eyes are small and hidden in the fur ears. The long, flattened tail and webbed feet are especially on the hind legs adaptations to aquatic life. Their fur is reddish brown on the top and greyish at the bottom. At the tail underside, they have a scent gland from which they secrete a musk- like secretion.
The two types differ in that the Pyrenean Desman is smaller, has a longer snout and its tail is flattened only at the top.
Distribution and habitat
The two species have separate distribution areas. The Pyrenean Desman lives in the north of the Iberian Peninsula and the Russian Desman inhabited the southwest of Russia and adjacent areas. Fossil finds from the United Kingdom and Central Europe show that these animals were once more widespread.
Desmane live near water, where the Pyrenean Desman rather quickly preferably flowing water, while the Russian Desman lives in lakes and ponds.
Lifestyle and food
Desmane inhabit burrows in the shore area, the Russian Desman its burrows often creates itself, while the Pyrenean Desman natural shelters or burrows of other animals used. Desmane are more social than most other insect eaters, often inhabiting several animals a building. They are primarily nocturnal, during the day they retire to rest in their burrows back. At night, they go in search of food, where they are usually floating in the water searching for anything edible.
The food of Desmane consists of insects and their larvae, crustaceans, worms, but also small vertebrates such as fish, amphibians and small rodents.
Reproduction
Once or twice a year, the female gives birth after a 30 - to 50 - day gestation, one to five pups. These are suckled for about a month.
Threat
One of the main threats to the Desmane counts the water pollution as well as competition from invasive species such as the American mink, nutria and muskrat. In past times, the Russian Desman was also hunted because of Desmanfells, today the species is protected. Both species are listed by the IUCN as endangered ( vulnerable ).
System
Recent studies have shown that the digging living authentics moles of Eurasia are more closely related to the Desmanen as with the equally living digging Neuweltmaulwürfen. The previously suspected juxtaposition of Desmanen and grave moles for phylogenetically thus untenable. That is why the Desmane are now considered as part of the Altweltmaulwürfe and no more than their own subfamily.