Scalopus aquaticus

Status

This species is common in the appropriate habitats.

Justification

Extent of occurrence is greater than 20,000 km². The population does not appear to be in decline. Assessed as Least Concern.

Taxonomy

Notes:

Name Status: Accepted Name. Latest taxonomic scrutiny: 28-Nov-2006

Physical Description

Species Scalopus aquaticus:

Eastern moles are 14.4 - 18.7 cm (5.7 - 7.4 in) in total length. Their fur is short, silky, and silvery-gray to grayish brown or brownish black in color. They have large front feet, with palms that face towards the rear and are as wide as long. Their tail is short and stubby. They have a hairless cone shaped muzzle, eyes that are very small and covered by thin skin, and no external ears.

Images:

Distribution

Range and Population

North America; Middle America

Habitat

Individual moles are solitary except during the mating season. They dig two types of tunnels, those used while foraging for food near the surface and permanent tunnels 15 - 60 cm (5.9 - 23.6 in) deep for nesting chambers and travel between foraging areas. The deeper tunnels are used year-round while surface tunnels are dug in the spring, summer and fall. The abandoned tunnels are used by other small mammals. Tunneling activity is important to the ecosystem because it mixs and aerate the soil. Eastern Moles inhabit any type of environment as long as the soil is well-drained loam or sand, they avoid soils with large amounts of clay or gravel. In mountainous areas they are restricted to river bottoms and other low-lying habitats. They are considered pests when they dig foraging tunnels in gardens, lawns and golf courses. Eastern Moles are active year-round and at any time of the day or night.

Diet

Eastern Moles feed mainly on earthworms and ground dwelling larval insects, but will also eat snails and adult insects.

Reproduction

Eastern Moles breed in early spring and produce one litter per year. From 2 - 5 young are born about five weeks after mating. Young leave the nest at four weeks of age and stay with the female for a short period. Sexual maturity is reached at one year of age. Young are born and reared in nests constructed of grass and leaves in a chamber from 13 - 46 cm (5.1 - 18.1 in) beneath the surface, usually beneath a stump or root clump

Similar Species

The Star-nosed Mole has a long tail and 22 fleshy appendages that surround the nostrils.

Members of the genus Scalopus:

There are approximately 24 species and subspecies in this genus: S. aquaticus (Eastern American Mole) · S. aquaticus aereus · S. aquaticus alleni · S. aquaticus anastasae (Anastasia Island Mole) · S. aquaticus anastasiae · S. aquaticus aquaticus · S. aquaticus aureus · S. aquaticus australis · S. aquaticus bassi (Eastern Mole) · S. aquaticus caryi · S. aquaticus cryptus · S. aquaticus howalli · S. aquaticus howelli · S. aquaticus inflatus (Eastern Mole) · S. aquaticus intermedius · S. aquaticus machrinoides · S. aquaticus machrinus · S. aquaticus montanus · S. aquaticus nanus · S. aquaticus parvus · S. aquaticus porteri · S. aquaticus pulcher · S. aquaticus texanus (Eastern Mole) · S. mcgrewi

Bibliography

• Alfred L. Gardner: Includes S. inflatus and S. montanus
• Banks, R. C., R. W. McDiarmid, A. L. Gardner, and W. C. Starnes 2003. Checklist of Vertebrates of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and Canada.
• Wilson, D.E. and Reeder, D.M. (eds). 1993. Mammal Species of the World: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington and London.
• Wilson, Don E., and DeeAnn M. Reeder, eds. 1993. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 2nd ed., 3rd printing. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, DC, USA. xviii + 1207. ISBN: 1-56098-217-9.

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Notes

Contributors:

• Bisby, F.A., Y.R. Roskov, M.A. Ruggiero, T.M. Orrell, L.E. Paglinawan, P.W. Brewer, N. Bailly, J. van Hertum, eds (2007). Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2007 Annual Checklist. Species 2000: Reading, U.K.
• Brands, S.J. (comp.) 1989-2006. Systema Naturae 2000. The Taxonomicon. Universal Taxonomic Services, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Accessed October 3, 2006.
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Accessed March 11, 2008. http://www.gbif.org Mediated distribution data from 11 providers.
• Insectivore Specialist Group 1996. Scalopus aquaticus. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org . Downloaded on 21 October 2006.
• Species At Risk Act Public Registry, Government of Canada

Data Sources:

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal March 11, 2008:

• Burke Museum: Mammal Specimens
• GBIF-Sweden: Mammals (NRM)
• Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science: Mammal specimens
• Marine Science Institute, UCSB: Paleobiology Database
• Michigan State University Museum: Vertebrate specimens
• Museum of Texas Tech University (TTU): Mammal specimens
• Royal Ontario Museum: Mammal specimens
• Sternberg Museum of Natural History: Mammal Collection
• University of Alaska Museum of the North: MSB Mammals Specimens
• University of Alaska Museum of the North: UAM Mammals Specimens
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (UMMZ): Mammal specimens
• University of Minnesota Bell Museum of Natural History: Mammal specimens

Identifiers:

• Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 179979
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility Taxonkey: 241521
• Natural Heritage Network Species Identifier: AMABB04010
• Zipcode Zoo Species Identifier: 1118