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NGSS: Core Idea: LS1.A, LS4.C
CCSS: Reading Informational Text: 9.
TEKS: Science: 3.13A, 4.13A, 5.13A, 6.5F; ELA: 3.6B, 4.6B, 5.6B, 6.5B
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CREATURE FEATURE
Meet the Star-Nosed Mole
DWIGHT KUHN
With what looks like 22 fleshy worms wriggling in the center of its face, the starnosed mole may be the world’s strangest-looking mammal. The rodent spends much of its time underground, tunneling through the dirt with its outsized feet. It’s dark down there, and the mole doesn’t have strong vision. But the pink tentacles on its nose sense its environment. They poke through the dirt, helping the mole form a picture of its surroundings.
The star-nosed mole is found in wetlands and other places with moist soil in eastern North America. It eats mainly earthworms and insects. But it can also hunt snails, small amphibians, and fish! The star-nosed mole is common, but it’s very hard to spot. That’s because it rarely pokes its head aboveground. Read on to learn more about what makes this mole one of nature’s coolest creatures.
Star Predator
The star-nosed mole is considered the world’s fastest eater. Its super-sensitive nose helps it hunt at lightning speed. If a worm or insect brushes against a tentacle, the mole senses it and gobbles it down in less than a quarter of a second. It can eat half its body weight in one day!
KENNETH CATANIA
Tiny, supersensitive organs cover each tentacle on the mole’s nose.
Super-Sensing Nose
Most noses detect smells. The star-nosed mole’s nose is more important for its sense of touch. Each tentacle on its nose is covered with tiny bumps called Eimer’s organs. They contain nerve cells that send messages to the mole’s brain—fast! With about 25,000 Eimer’s organs, the snout is five times more sensitive to touch than the human hand.
The moles can smell prey underwater by blowing bubbles.
Testing the Waters
Star-nosed moles are not only great diggers. They’re also excellent swimmers. The moles have a special technique to find prey underwater. As they swim, they blow bubbles over their tentacles and quickly inhale the trapped air inside. They can smell animals hiding nearby.
4.6 inches long
Star-nosed moles have short, cylindrical bodies covered in dense, dark fur.