| Marsupial
moles are small, burrowing mammals with sensitive snouts, nearly
blind eyes, no ears, and large claws that they use for digging.
They have fine, velvety fur that can be white or golden red.
They range in length from 6-21 cm. (2.5-8.5 in.) and in weight
from 10-170 g. (.3-6 oz.). Although they may be similar in appearance
to normal moles, they are marsupials. |
In
good soil, they can dig as fast as 5.5 m. (18 ft.) per hour.
They dig deeper for living quarters and nurseries. Mating occurs
during spring. The young are born in 4-6 weeks with 2-5 young
in a litter. They usually live about two to four years. They
eat insects and worms, eating their own body weight in food every
day. They sometimes starve if they go 12 hours without eating. |