Condylura cristata

photo credit: G.C. Hickman, American Society of Mammologists (Smithsonian)

ID

  • 22 fleshy projections on nose
  • Black fur
  • Long, hairy tail
  • Large digging forelegs with large claws (Audubon)

Distribution

 Credit: Smithsonian Institution

Reproduction

  • Litters of 4-7 young usually born between April and May, but sometimes later
  • Gestation lasts about 45 days (Audubon)

Behavior

  • Fingerlike nasal appendages are used for object manipulation, and possibly detection of electrical signals in water indicating the presence of prey (Smithsonian)
  • Depends on water foraging in the winter when the frozen ground makes it difficult to forage terrestrially (Audubon)

Food Habits

  • Eat small fish and aquatic invertebrates (insects, mollusks, crustaceans, etc.) (Smithsonian)
  • Earthworms (Audubon)

Size/Life Cycle

  • Average measurements: 132-230 mm (total length), 40-85 grams (total weight) (Smithsonian)

Predators

  • Cats and other predators

Habitat

  • Wet woods, fields, or swamps
  • Some lawns (Audubon)