Talpini

European Mole ( Talpa europaea)

• Eurasian moles ( Talpa )
• Southeast Asian moles ( Euroscaptor )
• East Asian moles ( Mogera )
• White-tailed Mole ( Parascaptor )
• Short Facial Mole ( Scaptochirus )

The authentics moles ( Talpini ) form a generic group ( tribe ) within the Altweltmaulwürfe ( Talpinae ). This group includes 22 species in five genera, of which the European mole is probably the most well-known representative.

Description

Actual moles are adapted to a subterranean lifestyle. They have a cylindrical body, a pointed snout and usually a short, sparsely haired tail. Their coat is short, the color may vary from black through gray to almost white. The forelimbs are modified into grave tools. They reach a body length of 10 to 20 centimeters and a weight of 60 to 120 grams.

Way of life

These animals live mostly underground, where they build tunnel systems. Mostly they are both diurnal and nocturnal, they have a high metabolic rate and need to take a lot of food. Their diet consists mainly of earthworms and insect larvae, occasionally they also destroy small vertebrates

System

Overall, the authentics moles are divided into five genera with about 22 species, although there are different views concerning the genus or Artanzahl. Until recently, all species were grouped together in a genus, Talpa. Also, the distribution area of many, especially the Asian species is not known exactly. The species often differ only by coat color or details in the structure of the skull and the number and shape of the teeth.

• The genus of the Eurasian moles ( Talpa ) is the only widely used in Europe genus of this group, it also occurs in northern and western Asia. We distinguish nine species, including the European mole ( T. europaea).
• The South East Asian moles ( Euroscaptor ) include six living in the eastern and south-eastern Asia species.
• The five species of East Asian moles ( Mogera ) are mainly located in Japan and China.
• The white-tailed mole is the only member of the genus Parascaptor and lives in northeastern India and neighboring regions.
• The Short Facial mole is the only member of the genus Scaptochirus. His home is the north-eastern China.