Monday, August 1, 2011

oops! I forgot a picture of the marsupial mole! Here it is shown eatig a gecko.

Marsupial Mole

The marsupial mole is an endangered species that only lives in specific desert areas of Australia.
It is covered with golden or tan fur that is rubbed shiny due to the sand. It digs through the sand in much the same way as the golden mole (link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_mole). Like the fictional character Bugs Bunny, there will be a mound of sand rising up as it travels near the surface, and there will be no tunnel left behind the mole. The marsupial mole is an isectivore, which means that it eats insects. It's two large front claws dig through the sand or dirt, and it's flattened back feet push it back. A strange thing about the marsupial mole is that the neck vertebrae are fused together, making it easier for the mole to push through dirt or sand. It's eyes and ears are also covered by fur. And, don't forget that this mole is a marsupial, so it carries it's babies around in a pouch. However, unlike most marsupials, whose pouches face forwards, this mole's pouch faces backwards. This ensures that dirt does not get into the pouch. Good thinking, mole!