Talpidae is one of the four families of small mammals in the order Eulipotyphla. A member of this family is called a talpid and the family includes moles, shrew moles, and desmans. Talpids are found in North America, Europe, and Asia, primarily in forests, shrublands, grasslands, and wetlands, though some species can also be found in deserts or coastal areas. They range in size from the Chinese shrew mole, at 6 cm (2 in) plus a 5 cm (2 in) tail, to the Russian desman, at 22 cm (9 in) plus a 22 cm (9 in) tail. Talpids primarily eat earthworms, insects, and other invertebrates, but some also consume fish, mollusks, amphibians, crustaceans, plants, and fungi. No talpids have population estimates, but the Pyrenean desman and Echigo mole are categorized as endangered species, while the Russian desman is categorized as critically endangered.
The forty-five extant species of Talpidae are divided into three subfamilies: Scalopinae, containing seven mole species in five genera, Talpinae, containing thirty-three mole, shrew mole, and desman species in eleven genera, and Uropsilinae, containing four shrew mole species in a single genus. A few extinct prehistoric Talpidae species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization is not fixed. [1]
Conservation status | |
---|---|
EX | Extinct (0 species) |
EW | Extinct in the wild (0 species) |
CR | Critically Endangered (1 species) |
EN | Endangered (2 species) |
VU | Vulnerable (1 species) |
NT | Near threatened (1 species) |
LC | Least concern (35 species) |
Other categories | |
DD | Data deficient (4 species) |
NE | Not evaluated (0 species) |
Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the talpid's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted.
The family Talpidae consists of three subfamilies: Scalopinae, containing seven mole species in five genera, Talpinae, containing thirty-three mole, shrew mole, and desman species in eleven genera, and Uropsilinae, containing four shrew mole species in a single genus.
Family Talpidae
The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by the reference work Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists. [3]
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
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Star-nosed mole | C. cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) | Eastern United States and Canada | Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 5–9 cm (2–4 in) tail [4] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and inland wetlands [5] Diet: Aquatic invertebrates, as well as other invertebrates, crustaceans, mollusks and small fish [6] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
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Hairy-tailed mole | P. breweri (Bachman, 1842) | Eastern United States and Canada | Size: 13–18 cm (5–7 in) long, plus 3 cm (1 in) tail [7] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [8] Diet: Insects, as well as other invertebrates [7] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern mole | S. aquaticus (Linnaeus, 1758) Four subspecies
| Eastern and central North America | Size: 14–19 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail [9] Habitat: Forest and grassland [10] Diet: Insects and earthworms, as well as plants [9] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
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Gansu mole | S. oweni Thomas, 1912 | Central China | Size: 9–11 cm (4 in) long, plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail [11] Habitat: Forest [12] Diet: Earthworms and other invertebrates [11] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Coast mole | S. orarius (True, 1896) Two subspecies
| Western United States and Canada | Size: 13–19 cm (5–7 in) long, plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail [13] Habitat: Forest, grassland, and coastal marine [14] Diet: Earthworms, as well as other invertebrates, mollusks, plants, and fungi [13] | LC
|
Northern broad-footed mole | S. latimanus (Bachman, 1842) Six subspecies
| Western United States and Mexico | Size: 11–19 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 2–6 cm (1–2 in) tail [4] Habitat: Grassland, savanna, and forest [15] Diet: Earthworms and other invertebrates [4] | LC
|
Townsend's mole | S. townsendii (Bachman, 1839) | Western United States and Canada | Size: 11–19 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 2–6 cm (1–2 in) tail [4] Habitat: Forest and grassland [16] Diet: Earthworms, as well as other invertebrates and plants [17] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Russian desman | D. moschata (Linnaeus, 1758) | Western and central Asia | Size: 18–22 cm (7–9 in) long, plus 17–22 cm (7–9 in) tail [18] Habitat: Inland wetlands [19] Diet: Fish, mollusks, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects [18] | CR
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
True's shrew mole | D. pilirostris (True, 1886) | Japan | Size: 6–11 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail [20] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [21] Diet: Worms, insects, and other invertebrates [20] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Greater Chinese mole | E. grandis Miller, 1940 | Southern China | Size: About 15 cm (6 in) long, plus 10 cm (4 in) tail [22] Habitat: Forest [23] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [24] | LC
|
Himalayan mole | E. micrura (Hodgson, 1841) | Southern Asia | Size: 12–14 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 5–9 cm (2–4 in) tail [22] Habitat: Forest [25] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [24] | LC
|
Japanese mountain mole | E. mizura (Günther, 1880) | Japan | Size: About 10 cm (4 in) long, plus 2 cm (1 in) tail [24] Habitat: Forest and grassland [26] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [24] | LC
|
Kloss's mole | E. klossi (Thomas, 1929) | Southeastern Asia | Size: 12–14 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 11–17 cm (4–7 in) tail [22] Habitat: Forest [27] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [24] | LC
|
Long-nosed mole | E. longirostris (A. Milne-Edwards, 1870) | Southeastern China | Size: 9–15 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) tail [22] Habitat: Forest [28] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [24] | LC
|
Small-toothed mole | E. parvidens Miller, 1940 | Southeastern Asia | Size: About 14 cm (6 in) long, plus 6 cm (2 in) tail [22] Habitat: Forest [29] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [24] | DD
|
Vietnamese mole | E. subanura Kawada, Son, & Can, 2012 | Northern Vietnam | Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 4–6 cm (2–2 in) tail [30] Habitat: Forest [31] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [24] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pyrenean desman | G. pyrenaicus (Geoffroy, 1811) Two subspecies
| Iberian Peninsula | Size: 11–16 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 12–16 cm (5–6 in) tail [32] Habitat: Inland wetlands [33] Diet: Insects and crustaceans [34] | EN
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Echigo mole | M. etigo Yoshiyuki & Imaizumi, 1991 | Central Japan | Size: 15–18 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 2–3 cm (1 in) tail [35] Habitat: Grassland [36] Diet: Likely earthworms and other invertebrates [24] | EN
|
Insular mole | M. insularis Swinhoe, 1863 Three subspecies
| Eastern China, Hainan Island, and Taiwan | Size: 8–14 cm (3–6 in) long, plus 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) tail [24] Habitat: Forest [37] Diet: Likely earthworms and other invertebrates [24] | LC
|
Japanese mole | M. wogura (Temminck, 1842) | Southern Japan | Size: 12–18 cm (5–7 in) long, plus 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) tail [35] Habitat: Grassland, shrubland, and forest [38] Diet: Likely earthworms and other invertebrates [24] | LC
|
Sado mole | M. tokudae Kuroda, 1940 | Sado Island, Japan | Size: 13–17 cm (5–7 in) long, plus 2–3 cm (1 in) tail [35] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [39] Diet: Likely earthworms and other invertebrates [24] | NT
|
Senkaku mole | M. uchidai Abe, Shiraishi, & Arai, 1991 | Senkaku Islands | Size: About 13 cm (5 in) long, plus 2 cm (1 in) tail [24] Habitat: Grassland [40] Diet: Likely earthworms and other invertebrates [24] | VU
|
Small Japanese mole | M. imaizumii Kuroda, 1957 | Japan | Size: 10–16 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) tail [35] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [41] Diet: Likely earthworms and other invertebrates [24] | LC
|
Ussuri mole | M. robusta Nehring, 1891 | Eastern Asia | Size: 14–20 cm (6–8 in) long, plus about 2 cm (1 in) tail [24] Habitat: Forest [42] Diet: Earthworms, caterpillars and insects [42] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
American shrew mole | N. gibbsii (Baird, 1858) | Western North America | Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail [43] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, and inland wetlands [44] Diet: Earthworms, insects, other invertebrates, fungi, and seeds [45] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
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White-tailed mole | P. leucura (Blyth, 1850) | Eastern Asia | Size: 11–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) tail [20] Habitat: Forest [46] Diet: Likely earthworms and other invertebrates [20] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
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Short-faced mole | S. moschatus H. Milne-Edwards, 1867 | Northern China | Size: About 14 cm (6 in) long, plus 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) tail [47] Habitat: Desert and grassland [48] Diet: Arthropod larvae [48] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
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Long-tailed mole | S. fusicaudus H. Milne-Edwards, 1872 | Eastern Asia | Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 4–6 cm (2 in) tail [49] Habitat: Forest [50] Diet: Likely earthworms and other invertebrates [49] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Altai mole | T. altaica Nikolsky, 1833 | Northern Asia | Size: 9–18 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail [51] Habitat: Forest [52] Diet: Earthworms, as well as insects [52] | LC
|
Balkan mole | T. stankovici Martino & Martino, 1931 | Balkans in Europe | Size: 9–18 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail [51] Habitat: Coastal marine [53] Diet: Worms and insects [51] | LC
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Blind mole | T. caeca Savi, 1822 | Southern Europe | Size: 9–18 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail [51] Habitat: Forest and grassland [54] Diet: Earthworms and other invertebrates [54] | LC
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Caucasian mole | T. caucasica Satunin, 1908 | Caucasus Mountains in Russia and Georgia | Size: 9–18 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail [51] Habitat: Forest and grassland [55] Diet: Earthworms, as well as insects [55] | LC
|
European mole | T. europaea Linnaeus, 1758 | Europe and western Asia | Size: 11–16 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail [56] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [57] Diet: Earthworms and insects [56] | LC
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Levant mole | T. levantis Thomas, 1906 | Caucasus and Northern Turkey | Size: 9–18 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail [51] Habitat: Forest and grassland [58] Diet: Earthworms and other invertebrates [58] | LC
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Ognev's mole | T. ognevi Stroganov, 1948 | Georgia and northeastern Turkey | Size: 9–18 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail [51] Habitat: Forest and grassland [59] Diet: Worms and insects [51] | LC
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Père David's mole | T. davidiana (H. Milne-Edwards, 1884) | Turkey and northwestern Iran | Size: 9–18 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail [51] Habitat: Grassland [60] Diet: Worms and insects [60] | DD
|
Roman mole | T. romana Thomas, 1902 | Southern Italy | Size: 9–18 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail [51] Habitat: Forest [61] Diet: Earthworms [61] | LC
|
Spanish mole | T. occidentalis A. Cabrera, 1907 | Spain and Portugal | Size: 9–18 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail [51] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [62] Diet: Earthworms and other invertebrates [62] | LC
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Talysch mole | T. talyschensis Vereshchagin, 1945 | Southern Azerbaijan and northern Iran | Size: 9–18 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail [51] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [63] Diet: Worms and insects [51] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Japanese shrew mole | U. talpoides Temminck, 1841 | Japan | Size: 6–11 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail [20] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [64] Diet: Insects, spiders, worms, and other invertebrates [20] | LC
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Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
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Anderson's shrew mole | U. andersoni (Thomas, 1911) | Central China | Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 5–8 cm (2–3 in) tail [65] Habitat: Unknown [66] Diet: Invertebrates [65] | DD
|
Chinese shrew mole | U. soricipes A. Milne-Edwards, 1871 | Central China | Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 5–7 cm (2–3 in) tail [67] Habitat: Forest [68] Diet: Invertebrates [65] | LC
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Gracile shrew mole | U. gracilis (Thomas, 1911) | Southern China and northern Myanmar | Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 5–8 cm (2–3 in) tail [65] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [69] Diet: Invertebrates [65] | LC
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Inquisitive shrew mole | U. investigator (Thomas, 1922) | Southern China | Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 5–8 cm (2–3 in) tail [67] Habitat: Forest and grassland [70] Diet: Invertebrates [65] | DD
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The family Talpidae includes the true moles who are small insectivorous mammals of the order Eulipotyphla. Talpids are all digging animals to various degrees: moles are completely subterranean animals; shrew moles and shrew-like moles somewhat less so; and desmans, while basically aquatic, excavate dry sleeping chambers; whilst the quite unique star-nosed mole is equally adept in the water and underground. Talpids are found across the Northern Hemisphere of Eurasia and North America, and range as far south as the montane regions of tropical Southeast Asia.
The subfamily Talpinae, sometimes called "Old World moles" or "Old World moles and relatives", is one of three subfamilies of the mole family Talpidae, the others being the Scalopinae, or New World moles, and the Uropsilinae, or shrew-like moles.
Desmans are aquatic insectivores of the tribe Desmanini in the mole family, Talpidae.
Kloss's mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is found in Laos and Thailand. It was named after zoologist C. Boden Kloss.
The Japanese mountain mole is a species of Old World mole in the family Talpidae. It is endemic to Japan. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Oreoscaptor. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and temperate grassland.
The small-toothed mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is found in Di Linh, in southern Vietnam, and Rakho near the border of Vietnam and China, and in southern Yunnan, China, near the Vietnamese border. It is likely that it has a broader distribution, especially in places between the currently known locations.
Mogera is a genus of mole in the tribe Talpini. They are native to East Asia.
The small Japanese mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is endemic to Japan. Even though they are extinct in central Tokyo, they are found in the grounds of the Imperial Palace.
The Sado mole or Tokuda's mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is endemic to Sado Island, Japan.
The Spanish mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is found in Spain and Portugal.
The Japanese shrew mole or himizu (ヒミズ) is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is endemic to Japan and is found on Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Awaji Island, Shodo Island, Oki Islands, Tsushima Island, Goto Islands, Mishima Island, and Awashima Island, but is absent from Hokkaido, which is north of Blakiston's Line. It is one of three Urotrichini and it is the only extant species in the genus Urotrichus. It is common between sea level and approximately 2,000 m. Sometimes this species is called the greater Japanese shrew mole and another species, True's shrew mole, is called the "lesser Japanese shrew mole".