Short-faced mole

The Short Facial Mole ( Scaptochirus moschatus ) is a species of mammal living in China from the family of moles ( Talpidae ).

Features

Short Facial Moles have the typical physique of authentics moles with a cylindrical body and reshaped to grave tools forelimbs. In the construction of the head, however, they differ from the other moles: The muzzle is relatively short and wide, the back teeth are bigger, but the number of premolars is reduced. The coat color is uniform gray-brown. These animals can reach a body length of about 14 centimeters, which must be added a 1 to 1.5 centimeters long tail comes.

Dissemination and lifestyle

Short Facial moles are native to northeastern China, their range includes the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Shaanxi and Shanxi. Their habitat are likely to be dry, sandy soils.

Little is known about the habits of these animals, but it should match the rest of the authentics moles. Thus, they live mostly underground, where they build tunnel systems. Their diet consists primarily of insect larvae.

The type is not one of the endangered species according to IUCN.

System

The Short Facial mole is the only member of the genus Scaptochirus. This position is justified by differences in construction and number of teeth. Older classifications arrange it - like most other authentics Moles - even in the genus Talpa one.