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Friday, February 18, 2005

 

The Star-Nosed Mole

`With a mug like that, the star-nosed mole might seem to be in danger of scaring away all its food. Luckily, these bizarre-looking creatures can detect a snack and gulp it down all under a quarter of a second.

�Most predators take times ranging from minutes to seconds to handle their prey,� said Ken Catania of Vanderbilt University. �The only things I�ve found that come even close are some species of fish.�

The secret to the mole�s impressive foraging ability is the 22 appendages that ring its nose. Nearly blind, the animal uses this sensitive, star-shaped flesh to feel around in its dark, underground environment.’

This has to be about the craziest looking animal ever.




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