52 



Order INSECTIVORA 



The eyes, which are completely covered with skin, may serve 

 the animal only to distinguish between light and dark. The 

 elongate nose is a sensitive probe used in seeking out earth- 

 worms, grubs, and-other food. The fur appears usually as a 

 dark or slate gray, but in some lights and at certain angles it 

 appears as light gray and, in most individuals, has a slight iri- 

 descence. The summer pelage, acquired after a spring molt, is 

 slightly paler than the winter pelage. The fur of the under 



Fig. 45. — Eastern mole. 



parts is nearly the same color as that of the sides and back. 

 except that on some individuals bright orange or white patches 

 appear on the abdomen or on the chest. 



Length measurements: head and body 5} . j-6i j inches (142- 

 167 mm.); tail \\/%-\y 2 inches (28-38 mm.); over-all 6*4-8 

 inches (170-205 mm.); hind foot about 1 inch (23-25 mm.). 

 Weight (mature male): about ]/\ pound (90-125 gm.). 



The skull is cone shaped, pointed in front and broad at the 

 back; it is 28 mm. (about U/i inches) long. Zygomatic arches 

 are present. All of the bones of the skull fuse together early in 

 the development of the animal, and the cranium appears to con- 

 sist of but one large bone. All of the teeth have sharp cusps 

 designed for cutting worms and other items of food, figs. 41, 

 44/. Dental formula: I 3/2. C 1/0. Pm 3/3, M 3 3. 



Life History. — The eastern mole lives in runs, burrows, or 

 tunnels near the surface of the earth, fig. 1. These are the re- 

 sult of the animal's "swimming" through the soil in search of 



