From: itannman@catbert.ucdavis.edu (Ann Mansker)
Subject: Critter of the Week: Condylura cristata
Date: 08 Aug 1998 00:00:00 GMT
Newsgroups: ucd.life

This week's critter is a small North Americal mammal, the star-nosed mole,
( http://biology.wsc.mass.edu/mammals/gifs/mole.jpg ) native to Eastern
Canada and the east coast of the U.S. The only semi-aquatic mole, it makes
its home in wet marshy areas and sometimes hunts while swimming.  Like all
moles, the star-nosed eats worms and insects that it finds by tunneling;
unlike others of its kind, it also eats small fish and crustaceans.  Its
habitat makes it the only mole that is not considered a pest by gardeners.

The mole's name comes from the halo of fleshy, mobile tentacles that
surround its nose ( http://tibor.zoology.ubc.ca/~campbelk/nose1.jpg ).  This
star is intensely touch-sensitive, having up to 25,500 touch receptors in
the star and 100,000 nerves connecting the star to the animal's brain.  As
the mole moves, the rays of the star are in constant motion, feeling out any
potential food items.

There is an excellent short article about the star-nosed mole at
http://www.nwf.org/nwf/natlwild/starnose.html and an especially cool picture
at http://www.origami.vancouver.bc.ca/Gallery/JWu/starmole.jpg .