Public domain · US National Parks Service · source
Quick Facts
- Type
- Mammal
- Size
- 15–20 cm body length
- Weight
- 35–75 g
- Habitat
- Wet meadows, swamps, and boggy woodlands in eastern North America
- Diet
- Carnivore — earthworms, aquatic insects, small fish, and crustaceans
- Active Time
- Nocturnal and diurnal, active year-round even under snow
- Lifespan
- 2–3 years in the wild
Field Notes
- The 22 tentacles of the star nose contain over 25,000 sensory Eimer's organs, giving it the most sensitive touch organ of any known mammal.
- Star-nosed moles can identify and swallow prey in 227 milliseconds — roughly eight times faster than the blink of a human eye.
- Unlike most moles, they are semi-aquatic and can forage underwater, blowing out air bubbles to smell prey.
About the Star-nosed Mole
The star-nosed mole is one of the most bizarre-looking mammals in the world, equipped with 22 fleshy pink tentacles surrounding its nostrils. These rays contain more than 25,000 minute sensory receptors called Eimer's organs, making its nose the most sensitive touch organ of any known animal. It is also the world's fastest eater, identifying and consuming prey in as little as 227 milliseconds. Found in wet lowlands of eastern North America, it swims expertly and can even smell underwater.
Keep exploring
Related animals
Red Fox
Capybara
Malayan Tapir
African Bush Elephant
Bengal Tiger
Giant Panda
Sunda Pangolin
Narwhal
Giraffe
Sea Otter
Red Panda
European Hedgehog
Or spin for another random animal on the explorer, or browse all species in the full directory.