Scapanus
Genus Scapanus | |
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Range | |
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Taxonomic classification | |
Order: | Eulipotyphla |
Suborder: | Erinaceota |
Family: | Talpidae |
Subfamily: | Scalopinae |
Tribe: | Scalopini |
Scapanus is a genus of moles that occurs in western North America. It contains the largest species of mole in North America, the Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii). Members of this genus are relatively large; dark gray or near black in color; have short appendages; tail is short and scantily haired, often appearing almost naked; manus (hands) are large and rotated so the palm faces outward; teeth are entirely white; skull is compressed dorsoventrally with a long rostrum; complete auditory bullae; and complete but weak zygomata (Naughton, 2012).
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Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii), the largest mole in North America. -
Dorsal view of the skull of a Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii), representing members of the genus Scapanus. -
Lateral view of the skull of a Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii).
Available taxon pages
The following species are available on WhiskerWiki for this genus:
Key to the species of Scapanus
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Distribution of the Northern Broad-footed Mole (Scapanus latimanus). -
Distribution of the Southern Broad-footed Mole (Scapanus occultus). -
Distribution of the Coast Mole (Scapanus orarius). -
Distribution of the Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii). -
Distribution of the American Shrew Mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii).
References
Naughton D. 2012. The natural history of Canadian mammals. Toronto (ON, CA): University of Toronto Press.