Star-nosed mole
A semiaquatic mole with a hypersensitive star-shaped nose.
The star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) is a small, semiaquatic mammal that lives in damp, low-lying areas of northeastern North America. It is the only surviving species in its tribe and genus. Though the mole is functionally blind, scientists once suspected the snout could sense electrical activity in prey, but little evidence supports that idea. Instead, the star and teeth seem built for catching very small prey. Its brain decides if something is edible in about eight milliseconds, pushing the limits of how fast neurons can work. Remarkably, the mole can also smell underwater by blowing air bubbles onto objects or scent trails and then inhaling them. The star-nosed mole lives in wet lowlands and eats small invertebrates like aquatic insect larvae (caddisflies, midges, dragonflies, and others), worms (earthworms, leeches), mollusks, crustaceans, and occasionally small amphibians and fish. It swims well and forages along stream and pond bottoms. Like other moles, it digs shallow tunnels to hunt, often with exits underwater. It is active day and night, even in winter, when it tunnels through snow and swims under ice. Compared to other moles, it is especially good at keeping its body temperature high in cold conditions, which helps it thrive in chilly water. Little is known about its social life, but it may live in colonies. Mating happens in late winter or early spring, and females usually have one litter of four or five young in late spring or early summer, with a possible second litter if the first fails. Newborns are about 5 centimeters long, hairless, and weigh 1.5 grams. Their eyes, ears, and star are sealed shut, opening around 14 days after birth. They become independent after about 30 days and fully mature at 10 months. Predators include re
- scientific_name
- Condylura cristata
- habitat
- Moist lowland areas, marshes, streams in northeastern North America
- diet
- Small invertebrates, aquatic insects, worms, mollusks, crustaceans, small amphibians, small fish
- litter_size
- Typically 4-5 young
- gestation
- Mates in late winter or early spring; young born in late spring or early summer
- known_for
- Fastest-eating mammal; uses star-shaped nose with Eimer's organs to detect prey in milliseconds
Lore & Background
The star-nosed mole lives in wet lowland areas and eats small invertebrates, such as aquatic insects, worms, mollusks, and aquatic crustaceans, as well as small amphibians and small fish. It is a good swimmer and can forage along the bottoms of streams and ponds. Like other moles, it digs shallow surface tunnels for foraging; often these tunnels exit underwater. It is active day and night and remains active in winter, tunneling through snow and swimming in ice-covered streams. It is particularly adept at thermoregulation, maintaining a high body temperature in a wide range of external conditions relative to other Talpid moles, which explains its ability to thrive in cold aquatic environments.
Reader's Guide
The star-nosed mole is significant for its extreme sensory specialization. This speed is at the limit of the speed of neurons. The star functions as a tactile eye, with a high-resolution central fovea region (the 11th pair of rays) that is over-represented in the somatosensory cortex, similar to the visual fovea in primates. This has made the species a model for understanding how brains process sensory information. Vanderbilt University neuroscientist Kenneth Catania has studied star-nosed moles for 20 years, calling them 'a gold mine for discoveries about brains and behavior in general.' The mole's ability to smell underwater by exhaling and inhaling air bubbles further demonstrates its unique adaptations.
Did You Know?
- Its brain decides if prey is edible in approximately eight milliseconds, at the limit of neuron speed.
- The star-nosed mole is able to smell underwater by exhaling air bubbles onto objects or scent trails and then inhaling the bubbles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Star-nosed mole?
The star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) is a tiny, semiaquatic mammal native to the wet, low-lying regions of northeastern North America. It is the sole surviving member of its genus and tribe, making it a one-of-a-kind species in the small-mammal world.
What makes Star-nosed mole's nose special?
Its distinctive star-shaped snout is packed with thousands of touch-sensitive Eimer's organs that let it identify and grab tiny prey in an instant. While early researchers speculated the snout might detect electrical fields in prey, current evidence points to it being primarily a rapid tactile and feeding tool.
How fast can Star-nosed mole eat?
It holds the record as the fastest-eating mammal, capable of deciding whether something is edible in roughly eight milliseconds. That speed pushes right up against the physical limits of how quickly neurons can fire and transmit signals.
Where does Star-nosed mole live?
You'll find it in marshes, along streams, and in other moist lowland habitats across northeastern North America. It is well adapted to a semiaquatic lifestyle, spending much of its time foraging in or near water.
Can Star-nosed mole smell underwater?
Yes—despite being mostly blind and living close to water, it can detect scents beneath the surface by blowing air bubbles over its nose. This lets it track prey like small aquatic insects, worms, and mollusks even when submerged.
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