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Talpidae

From WhiskerWiki

Family Talpidae
Taxonomic classification
Order:Eulipotyphla
Suborder:Erinaceota
Superfamily:Talpoidea

Introduction

From Naughton (2012): "Talpids (members of the family Talpidae) in the United States are dark gray or blackish animals with fusiform bodies; short appendages; manus (hand) rotated so palm faces outward; entirely white teeth; the skull is compressed dorsoventrally with a long rostrum; complete auditory bullae; complete but weak zygomata." As of 2025, the family Talpidae includes 68 species. Eight species are present in the United States, representing five genera—Condylura, Neurotrichus, Parascalops, Scalopus, and Scapanus. The Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii) is the largest mole in North America and the American Shrew Mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii) is the smallest mole in North America.

  • Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii), the largest mole in North America.
  • Star-nosed Mole (Condylura cristata), showing its unique star nose. This is the only species with a star-shaped nose.
  • American Shrew Mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii), the smallest species of mole in the Americas. Notice the small size and relatively long and hairy tail.
  • Dorsal view of the skull of a Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii), the largest mole in North America.
  • Lateral view of the skull of a Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii).
  • Lateral view of the skull of a Star-nosed Mole (Condylura cristata).

Species in the United States

Condylura cristata (Star-nosed Mole)

Condylura is a genus of moles that contains a single extant species, the Star-nosed Mole (Condylura cristata).

  • Star-nosed Mole (Condylura cristata) with its unique star nose. This is the only species with a star-shaped nose.

Neurotrichus gibbsii (American Shrew Mole)

Neurotrichus is a genus of moles that contains a single extant species, the American Shrew Mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii). It is the smallest species of mole in the Americas.

Parascalops breweri (Hairy-tailed Mole)

Parascalops is a genus of moles that contains a single extant species, the Hairy-tailed Mole (Parascalops breweri).

Scalopus aquaticus (Eastern Mole)

Scalopus is a genus of moles that contains a single extant species, the Eastern Mole (Scalopus aquaticus). This species is found in the eastern part of the United States.

Scapanus

Species in the genus Scapanus are only found in the far western part of the United States, including California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Note the scale for Scapanus townsendii; this is the largest mole in North America.

  • Northern Broad-footed Mole (Scapanus latimanus) observed by jabbott in Willits, California.
  • Southern Broad-footed Mole (Scapanus occultus) observed by Justin M. Wood in San Bernardino National Forest, California.
  • Coast Mole (Scapanus orarius) observed in Washington by Patricia Teague.
  • Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii) observed by mjwood77 in Beaverton, Oregon.

Range maps

Available taxon pages

The following superfamilies are available on WhiskerWiki for this family:

References

Naughton D. 2012. The natural history of Canadian mammals. Toronto (ON, CA): University of Toronto Press.

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