Skip to content
TrueNorthBriefQuick, clear answers for curious Canadians
Things

Star Nosed Mole

What is star nosed mole?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Scientific name Condylura cristata[1]
Native range Eastern North America[1]
Nose structure 22 pink, fleshy tentacles[1]
Conservation status Least Concern[2]

The star-nosed mole is a small, semiaquatic mole native to eastern North America, known for its distinctive star-shaped nose with 22 pink tentacles.

Context

The star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) is a small semiaquatic mole native to eastern North America, recognized by its nose with 22 pink tentacles [1]. It is the only mole species among 39 that inhabits swamps and marshes [5]. It is one of two animals known to smell underwater [3] and is the fastest eater on the planet [4].

Documented claims

  • The star-nosed mole is the only mole species out of 39 that lives in swamps and marshes. [5]
  • It is one of two animals in the world known to smell underwater. [3]
  • It is the fastest eater on the planet. [4]

Questions and answers

What is special about a star-nosed mole's nose?

Its nose has 22 pink, fleshy tentacles used for touch and hunting prey [1].

Is a star-nosed mole poisonous?

No, it is not poisonous; it uses its nose to find food, not venom [1].

Where do star-nosed moles live in the world?

They live in eastern North America, in habitats like wetlands, bogs, and marshes [1].

Sources

  1. Star-nosed Mole | Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — tn.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Star-nosed mole — soil.evs.buffalo.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Star-nosed Mole — esf.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Why do star-nosed moles have a 'hand' on their face? — nhm.ac.uk (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  5. Star-Nosed Mole: The Nose that “Sees” — carnegiemnh.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things