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Star Nosed Mole
Condylura cristata
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Habitat
Prefers to live in very wet soils near marshes, streams, lakes, and wet meadows, where it makes shallow foraging tunnels in the summer and deeper tunnels in the winter, but also spends more time above ground than most moles.
Diet
This carnivore eats a variety of aquatic insect larvae like caddisflies and midges, but will also eat earthworms, small fish, and snails.
Distinctive Characteristics
Slender-bodied, with relatively large eyes and longer legs for walking quickly above ground, a distinctive pink nose made up of 22 short tentacles to help locate food, and large, broad front feet to dig or swim.
Nocturnal/Diurnal
Active day and night.
Reproduction & Family Structure
A litter of about five young is born in spring.