Scapanus
Encyclopedia
Scapanus is a genus
of moles
in the family Talpidae
. They live in North America
from west of the Rockies
south to Baja California del Norte, and north to British Columbia
, wherever conditions permit a mole population; that is to say, apart from the most sandy, rocky, or developed places. As they are one genus, they are very closely related, but as species, they rarely if ever interbreed successfully.
It contains the following species:
n mole, although its range spills over into neighboring states. The Broad-footed Mole lives primarily in Western Oregon
, Washington State, and southwestern British Columbia
, where it often overlaps the smaller range of the Pacific or Coast Mole
s, which, as the name implies, do not tend to range as far inland. How these two species manage to co-exist has been the subject of some research. It may have something to do with large size difference between the two species: the Broad-footed is one of the largest and most powerful moles, while the coastal mole is a quite average-sized mole
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of moles
Mole (animal)
Moles are small cylindrical mammals adapted to a subterranean lifestyle. They have velvety fur; tiny or invisible ears and eyes; and short, powerful limbs with large paws oriented for digging. The term is especially and most properly used for the true moles, those of the Talpidae family in the...
in the family Talpidae
Talpidae
The family Talpidae includes the moles, shrew moles, desmans, and other intermediate forms of small insectivorous mammals of the order Soricomorpha...
. They live in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
from west of the Rockies
Rockies
Rockies can mean the following:* Rocky Mountains, a North American mountain range* Colorado Rockies, a Colorado Major League baseball team* Colorado Rockies , a former NHL hockey team that became the New Jersey Devils...
south to Baja California del Norte, and north to British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, wherever conditions permit a mole population; that is to say, apart from the most sandy, rocky, or developed places. As they are one genus, they are very closely related, but as species, they rarely if ever interbreed successfully.
It contains the following species:
- The Broad-footed MoleBroad-footed MoleThe Broad-footed Mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is found in Baja California in Mexico and in California, Nevada and Oregon in the United States at elevations up to 3000 m. Its karyotype has 2n = 34, FN = 64....
(Scapanus latimanus) - Coast MoleCoast MoleThe Coast Mole or Pacific Mole is a medium-sized North American mole.It is found in forested and open areas with moist soils along the Pacific coast from southwestern British Columbia to central California....
(Scapanus orarius) - Townsend's MoleTownsend's MoleThe Townsend's Mole, Scapanus townsendii, is the largest North American mole.It is found in open lowland areas and open wooded areas with moist soils along the Pacific coast from southwestern British Columbia to northwestern California...
(Scapanus townsendii)
Distribution
Townsend's Mole is primarily a CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
n mole, although its range spills over into neighboring states. The Broad-footed Mole lives primarily in Western Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, Washington State, and southwestern British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, where it often overlaps the smaller range of the Pacific or Coast Mole
Coast Mole
The Coast Mole or Pacific Mole is a medium-sized North American mole.It is found in forested and open areas with moist soils along the Pacific coast from southwestern British Columbia to central California....
s, which, as the name implies, do not tend to range as far inland. How these two species manage to co-exist has been the subject of some research. It may have something to do with large size difference between the two species: the Broad-footed is one of the largest and most powerful moles, while the coastal mole is a quite average-sized mole
Mole (animal)
Moles are small cylindrical mammals adapted to a subterranean lifestyle. They have velvety fur; tiny or invisible ears and eyes; and short, powerful limbs with large paws oriented for digging. The term is especially and most properly used for the true moles, those of the Talpidae family in the...
.