Family of the Week: the Metazoic Moles
The moles of the Metazoic are basically a lot like they are today. The big difference is that the Metazoic mole family Scalprodensidae mostly every species bears tusks, to aid in burrowing underground along with their claws. The body is basically like that of modern moles, the body is longer than it is tall, the forelimbs are wide and the arms are greatly reduced, most of the size being taken up by their enormously large forefeet, with large, curved claws. Most species have no external ears, and the eyes are very small in all genera with the exception of Halioscabus. The hind feet are smaller than the forefeet. The nose is long and flexible, much like the noses of modern elephant shrews. The fur is short and slick. The nostrils have the ability to close tightly to keep the sand and dirt out. The tail is short in most species, and usually well-haired. Most species are subterrestrial animals, spending most of their time underground in burrows. But one species, Halioscabus, is fully aquatic, and lives in the oceans of the World. The range in size for Metazoic moles are about the size of a small mouse to the size of a medium-sized dog. They are carnivorous to some extent.
The largest species of mole in the Metazoic are those in Halioscabus. These are very large, ocean-going moles. Thier large feet are used for swimming, much like the desmans do today. The tail is naked and flat, and is slightly longer than the head and body, and moves in a side-to-side eel-like motion. They have no external ears, and their eyes are larger than in any other moles. These large moles spend most of their time in the water. But when they do come ashore, they move in a rather caterpillar-like motion. These moles however, only come to shore occasionally to breed, rear their young, and once in a while to sun themselves. These moles feed on fish and crabs, and they prefer to eat at the water's surface, rather than drag their prey to land or consume it underwater. These moles are very good at diving and swimming. They are not excessively fast swimmers, and usually use the element of surprise to capture their prey.
The smallest species of Metazoic moles are the species in Soriceus. These are the shrew moles. They are generally about the size of a small mouse, and more resemble shrews than moles. They still have the large-proportioned forefeet that is characteristic of other moles. The eyes are very small, they have no external ears, and one species even has a flat, shovel-like muzzle. The muzzle of this species is rather hard, though not like the beak of a bird. But the muzzle is bony and made to push moist dirt out of their burrows. Like other Metazoic moles, these animals rarely surface. The tail is long and furry, and actually plays no role in digging. These animals are insectivorous, and mostly favor hunting in areas where there is an abundance of ants and termites.
The largest land-based species are those of Psammonarus. These are called the sand-sharks or sometimes known as "gibblers". These are highly-aggressive moles that make their homes in the desert and arid regions. As one of their names imply, these animals do indeed behave like they are miniature sharks that live in the sand. If humans were around in the Metazoic, any one unfortunate enough that would encounter one of these moles would have to be careful, as these animals are small, desert-dwelling pit bulls that would literally snatch a person's toes off, biting down and holding tight with their powerful jaws, and spinning in a sort of "death roll" until they rip the flesh and bone off. The animal then proceeds to burrow away with their prize, to finish feeding on it. Most of the time, their prey consists of small animals and insects that happen to stumble where the mole is lying in wait. Insects, small mammals, lizards, snakes, birds, any animal is fair game, and often even large animals that walk anywhere within inches of the waiting mole will get their toes bitten off too. These moles do not bear tusks, but they do have sharp teeth that are capable of tearing easily through flesh. Their eyes are round and small, the head is large and blunt, the fur is short and soft, they have long claws, the mouth opens as wide as the head. They have no external ears. The tail is about half the length of the body and is well haired. They are not good walkers, but they are excellent, very fast burrowers.
Despite the fact that these animals are small predators themselves that live and burrow underground, they themselves fall prey to even larger predators. Any carnivorous mammals that can dig them out will eat moles. Snakes are also major predators. There is one variety of Metazoic "mole boa" that is blind, but is specialized in following these animals through their burrows, capturing and constricting them to death for food. Sometimes, predatory birds and bats will take moles who surface. Carnivorous pteropods sometimes will swoop and land down on a mole before it hits the surface.
The largest species of mole in the Metazoic are those in Halioscabus. These are very large, ocean-going moles. Thier large feet are used for swimming, much like the desmans do today. The tail is naked and flat, and is slightly longer than the head and body, and moves in a side-to-side eel-like motion. They have no external ears, and their eyes are larger than in any other moles. These large moles spend most of their time in the water. But when they do come ashore, they move in a rather caterpillar-like motion. These moles however, only come to shore occasionally to breed, rear their young, and once in a while to sun themselves. These moles feed on fish and crabs, and they prefer to eat at the water's surface, rather than drag their prey to land or consume it underwater. These moles are very good at diving and swimming. They are not excessively fast swimmers, and usually use the element of surprise to capture their prey.
The smallest species of Metazoic moles are the species in Soriceus. These are the shrew moles. They are generally about the size of a small mouse, and more resemble shrews than moles. They still have the large-proportioned forefeet that is characteristic of other moles. The eyes are very small, they have no external ears, and one species even has a flat, shovel-like muzzle. The muzzle of this species is rather hard, though not like the beak of a bird. But the muzzle is bony and made to push moist dirt out of their burrows. Like other Metazoic moles, these animals rarely surface. The tail is long and furry, and actually plays no role in digging. These animals are insectivorous, and mostly favor hunting in areas where there is an abundance of ants and termites.
The largest land-based species are those of Psammonarus. These are called the sand-sharks or sometimes known as "gibblers". These are highly-aggressive moles that make their homes in the desert and arid regions. As one of their names imply, these animals do indeed behave like they are miniature sharks that live in the sand. If humans were around in the Metazoic, any one unfortunate enough that would encounter one of these moles would have to be careful, as these animals are small, desert-dwelling pit bulls that would literally snatch a person's toes off, biting down and holding tight with their powerful jaws, and spinning in a sort of "death roll" until they rip the flesh and bone off. The animal then proceeds to burrow away with their prize, to finish feeding on it. Most of the time, their prey consists of small animals and insects that happen to stumble where the mole is lying in wait. Insects, small mammals, lizards, snakes, birds, any animal is fair game, and often even large animals that walk anywhere within inches of the waiting mole will get their toes bitten off too. These moles do not bear tusks, but they do have sharp teeth that are capable of tearing easily through flesh. Their eyes are round and small, the head is large and blunt, the fur is short and soft, they have long claws, the mouth opens as wide as the head. They have no external ears. The tail is about half the length of the body and is well haired. They are not good walkers, but they are excellent, very fast burrowers.
Despite the fact that these animals are small predators themselves that live and burrow underground, they themselves fall prey to even larger predators. Any carnivorous mammals that can dig them out will eat moles. Snakes are also major predators. There is one variety of Metazoic "mole boa" that is blind, but is specialized in following these animals through their burrows, capturing and constricting them to death for food. Sometimes, predatory birds and bats will take moles who surface. Carnivorous pteropods sometimes will swoop and land down on a mole before it hits the surface.
Comments
Post a Comment