Condylura cristata is native to eastern North America. This species ranges further north than other New World talpids, reaching about 55°N latitude in Québec and Newfoundland. The range extends from the Atlantic Ocean west to Manitoba and North Dakota and south to Ohio and Virginia. Condylura cristata is also found along the Atlantic coast south to Georgia as well as throughout the Appalachian mountains.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: (20,000-2,500,000 square km (about 8000-1,000,000 square miles)) Primarily distributed in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. Labrador, Quebec, and Nova Scotia westward to eastern North Dakota and southeastern Manitoba, and south to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio, south in the Appalachians to the Great Smoky Mountains (e.g., Beane 1995, Brimleyana 22:77-86), and south along the Atlantic coast to southeastern Georgia. Ranges farther north than all other native mole species.

Condylura cristata is one of the most distinctive mammal species. Its nose is hairless and is ringed by a unique 'star' of 22 pink, fleshy tentacles. The star is bilaterally symmetrical with 11 appendages per side that vary in length from between 1 and 4 mm. Condylura cristata ranges from 175 to 205 mm in total length and weighs between 35 and 75 g. Like other moles it has a stout, roughly cylindrical body with heavily-built forelimbs, broad feet and large claws. Its hair is short, dense and coarser than that of other moles. The pelage is dark brown to black on the back and lighter brown underneath. The tail is 65 to 85 mm long, constricted at the base, annulated, scaly and covered with coarse hair. During winter the tail swells 3 to 4 times its normal diameter. Females have 8 mammae, and the testes of males can be 8.8% of the total body weight during the mating season. Sexes are otherwise similar in appearance.

Star-nosed moles are the sole living member of the genus Condylura. There are two described subspecies: C. cristata cristata in the north and C. cristata parva in the south. The latter subspecies is distinguished primarily by its smaller size. Two fossil species, C. kowalskii and C. izabellae, are known from the middle Pliocene of Poland.

Range mass: 35 to 75 g.

Range length: 175 to 205 mm.

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Average basal metabolic rate: 0.615 W.

Length: 21 cm

Weight: 75 grams

• Terrestrial

Star-nosed moles are found in a variety of habitats with moist soil. Unlike other North American moles, Condylura cristata prefers areas of poor drainage, including both coniferous and deciduous forests, clearings, wet meadows, marshes and peatlands. Condylura cristata also inhabits the banks of streams, lakes and ponds, into which it ventures for food. Although it prefers wet areas, this species has been found in dry meadows as far as 400 m from water. Condylura cristata can be found along the coast and is known from elevations up to 1676 m in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Range elevation: 0 to 1676 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial ; freshwater

Terrestrial Biomes: taiga ; forest

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams

Wetlands: marsh ; swamp ; bog

Other Habitat Features: riparian

Comments: Seldom far from bodies of water. Prefers wet soils in flood plains, swamps, meadows, and other openings near water. Good swimmer and diver. May be active in water under ice in winter. More dependent on water in winter when ground is frozen. Occasionally occurs in leaf mold on the floor of dense forests. Tunnels may be shallow or deep and may open at ground surface or under water.

Nest usually is placed in a hummock, under a stump or log, in humus among rotten tree roots, or in other areas above high water, often near a stream.

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Condylura cristata feeds primarily on invertebrates. Like other fossorial moles, C. cristata patrols its burrows searching for earthworms that enter through the walls. When it has access to a body of water, however, C. cristata prefers to hunt aquatic prey. About half of its diet consists of worms (Annelida), and 80% of these are aquatic species such as leeches. Aquatic insects make up another 30% of its diet, including the larvae of caddisflies (Trichoptera), midges (Chironomidae), dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata), crane flies (Tipulidae), horse flies (Tabanidae), predacious diving beetles (Dytiscidae) and stoneflies (Plecoptera). Condylura cristata will also take occasional terrestrial insects, aquatic crustaceans, mollusks and small fish.

Animal Foods: fish; insects; mollusks; terrestrial worms; aquatic or marine worms; aquatic crustaceans

Primary Diet: carnivore (Vermivore)

Comments: In some areas eats mainly aquatic invertebrates; benthic prey may constitute entire winter diet. Earthworms are abundant in the diet in some areas (Peterson and Yates 1980). May use an electrical sense to detect prey (Gould et al., 1993, J. Mamm. 74:108-116).

Condylura cristata is an important part of many wetland ecosystems. It provides food for a number of carnivores and is a voracious predator of aquatic invertebrates. By tunneling through moist ground, C. cristata provides aeration to the roots of plants which might otherwise be trapped in anoxic soil.

Ecosystem Impact: soil aeration

Condylura cristata is preyed upon by a number of different animals. Since this species spends time underwater as well as more time above ground than other moles, it is more vulnerable to predation. From the air, C. cristata is hunted by owls both large and small as well as by hawks during the day. On the ground, both domestic dogs and cats will capture star-nosed moles. A number of mustelids prey on C. cristata, including skunks, weasels, and the fisher. Another mustelid, the mink, is semiaquatic and may hunt Condylura cristata underwater. Other known aquatic predators include the bullfrog and largemouth bass.

Known Predators:

• great horned owls (Bubo virginianus)
• eastern screech owls (Otus asio)
• barred owls (Strix varia)
• barn owls (Tyto alba)
• saw-whet owls (Aegolius acadicus)
• red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis)
• red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus)
• rough-legged hawks (Buteo lagopus)
• broad-winged hawks (Buteo platypterus)
• domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)
• red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)
• domestic cats (Felis silvestris)
• striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis)
• fishers (Martes pennanti)
• long-tailed weasels (Mustela frenata)
• American minks (Neovison vison)
• bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus)
• largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Note: For many non-migratory species, occurrences are roughly equivalent to populations.

Estimated Number of Occurrences: 81 to >300

10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals

Home range probably is about 0.4 ha (Banfield 1974). Density of 4-7 per ha has been recorded for swampland (Hamilton 1931). In New York, 2-3 per ha were found during winter. Gregarious.

Condylura cristata, equipped with its unique star, has perhaps the best sense of touch of any mammal. Each of the 22 appendages that make up the star is completely covered with tiny papillae known as Eimer's organs. Each Eimer's organ contains 3 types of tactile receptors, 2 of which are found in the skin of other mammals. The third type is unique to the star-nosed mole and is thought to allow the mole to identify objects by their microscopic texture. The star possesses over 25,000 Eimer's organs in a space less than 1 square cm, making it incredibly sensitive. A vast portion of the mole's brain is devoted to processing this tactile information. The shortest pair of tentacles at the bottom of the star have the greatest density of Eimer's organs and are apparently used to identify prey items. Although it has not been demonstrated conclusively, it is thought that the star may also be used to detect faint electrical signals from the star-nosed mole's aquatic prey. Laboratory tests have shown that C. cristata seems to be drawn to batteries placed underwater as well as to the areas of strongest electrical activity on prey items. If true, C. cristata and the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) are the only mammals known to possess this ability.

Although externally visible, the eyes of C. cristata may only be useful for sensing light and dark. Its hearing seems to be excellent, as the external ear openings are much larger than those of other North American species. Its sense of smell is probably also fairly well-developed. Young star-nosed moles make some high-pitched vocalizations and adults are known to make wheezing sounds. There is little information available on how individuals communicate with each other.

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Comments: Active all year. Active day or night; may be more active at night.

Not much is known about the lifespan of Condylura cristata in the wild. Since a female's reproductive effort is limited to only 1 litter per year, is is speculated that C. cristata may have a relatively long lifespan for a mammal of its size, perhaps 3 to 4 years. Some star-nosed moles have lived 2 years in captivity.

Range lifespan

Status: captivity: 2 (high) years.

Typical lifespan

Status: wild: 3 to 4 years.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 3 to 4 years.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 2.5 years.

Condylura cristata appears to be monogamous for one breeding season. Males and females are thought to pair up as early as autumn and remain together through the mating season in March and April. Little is known about how the star-nosed mole finds or attracts a mate.

Mating System: monogamous

Condylura cristata mates in the spring from about mid-March through April. Gestation lasts approximately 45 days, and young are born in late April through mid-June. Females produce one litter of offspring per year of between 2 and 7 young, though 5 is a typical litter size. If a female's first reproductive effort was unsuccessful, she may mate again, producing a litter as late as July. At birth the young are hairless, are approximately 49 mm long and weigh about 1.5 g. The eyes and ears are closed and the tentacles of the star are folded back along the rostrum. Eyes, ears and star become functional after about 2 weeks. Young are independent at 30 days and reach maturity at 10 months.

Breeding interval: Star nosed moles breed once yearly, though females may mate again if their first litter is unsuccessful.

Breeding season: Star nosed moles breed from mid-March through April.

Range number of offspring: 2 to 7.

Average number of offspring: 5.

Average gestation period: 45 days.

Average weaning age: 30 days.

Average time to independence: 30 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 10 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 10 months.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); viviparous

Average number of offspring: 4.4.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

Sex: male: 304 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 304 days.

Little is known about parental investment in Condylura cristata, but there is likely no post-weaning care.

Parental Investment: altricial

Gestation lasts about 45 days. Parturition occurs in spring or early summer (late March-early August in central New York). Litter size is 3-7, average 5-6. One litter per year. Sexually mature in 10 months. May maintain pair bond throughout the breeding season.

The snout of talpids can detect pressure and other sensory input thanks to the Eimer's gland, a mechanosensory organ.

Condylura cristata is a relatively common species, and since it is rather inconspicuous and inhabits wet areas, humans do not generally impact this species directly. Large numbers are sometimes caught in muskrat traps, but this does not seem to negatively effect their population size. However, since C. cristata is dependent on wetlands for survival, the ongoing destruction of wetlands to make way for an expanding human population may affect the status of this species in the future.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Reasons: Common over large range in southeastern Canada and the eastern U.S.

Since C. cristata inhabits poorly-drained wet areas, it is not often found in areas that humans frequent. However, it may occasionally extend its tunnels into lawns adjacent to wetlands, damaging the sod. Trapping is generally an effective way to remove star-nosed moles.

Condylura cristata benefits humans by preying on the larvae of pest insects. They also aerate the soil of plants that may be beneficial to humans.

Positive Impacts: controls pest population

Comments: Includes C. PARVA as a subspecies (Hutterer, in Wilson and Reeder 1993).