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Several things are unique to, and therefore strange about, the marsupial mole of Australia.
- It is completely blind, with its eyes nothing more than vestigial lenses beneath its skin.
- Its ears have no external surface. They are mere tiny holes beneath the animal's thick fur.
- The seven bones in its neck are fused together, so that it cannot move the position of its head.
- It burrows through the sand, but it burrows so close to the surface that the tunnels that it creates are filled in right behind it. This is called sand swimming. It may also turn downward suddenly, or may briefly walk on the surface of the sand.
- Being a marsupial, it has a pouch. The pouch faces backwards so as to not fill with soil.
- Its tail is a mere stub.
- Upon its discovery, it was first classified as a monotreme.
What else can I help you with?
Is the golden mole a marsupial?
The golden mole is not a marsupial, but a placental mammal. It is different to the rather unusual marsupial moles of Australia.
Is the northern marsupial mole endangered?
Yes; the Karkarratul, also known as the Northern Marsupial Mole, is endangered.
How does a Marsupial mole move?
The marsupial mole digs through the sand with its big shovel-like claws.
What is the largest species of marsupial mole?
The two species of marsupial mole are barely distinguishable from each other. Both the Northern marsupial mole (Kakarratul) and the Southern marsupial mole (Itjaritjari) average 120-160 mm in length, with a tail length of 20-25 mm.
What is a blind desert-living marsupial that burrows?
Marsupial Mole.
What is the largest species of mole?
The two species of marsupial mole are barely distinguishable from each other. Both the Northern marsupial mole (Kakarratul) and the Southern marsupial mole (Itjaritjari) average 120-160 mm in length, with a tail length of 20-25 mm.
What is Australia's strangest mammal?
Australia's strangest mammal is often considered to be the platypus, with its leathery bill equipped with electroreceptors, webbed feet with retractable webbing, and reproduction via egg-laying. However, the echidna is also very strange, as it, too, lays eggs in order to reproduce, and it has very thick fur with many sharp spines. However, a little known very strange animal is the marsupial mole, of which there are two species - the southern marsupial mole (itjaritjari) and the northern marsupial mole (kakarratul). Spending virtually its entire life underground, it completely lacks eyes, looks like a mop, and is a marsupial, rearing its young in a pouch.
Is a star-nosed mole a marsupial?
No. The star-nosed marsupial is not a marsupial, but a placental mammal. The only marsupial moles are found in northern Australia.
A marsupial that is blind loves to burrow and lives in the desert?
I am a Marsupial Mole native to Australia.
Is a Marsupial mole a mammal?
Yes. All marsupials are mammals.
What eats a marsupial mole?
The marsupial mole eats insects such as beetles, moths, sawflies and ants, and invertebrates such as centipedes. They also feed on eggs, larvae and pupae of these species. They have even been known to eat small reptiles such as geckos.
Where are marsupial moles found?
Marsupial moles are found in Australia. There are two species.The Southern marsupial mole, or itjaritjari, is found across much of the arid regions of central Australia, and the southern and western deserts.The Northern marsupial mole, or kakarratul, is found also in arid central Australia, as well as the northwest deserts.
