Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Talpidae
- Genus
- Mogera
Habitat
The Kano mole inhabits forests, grasslands, and mountainous areas in Taiwan, preferring moist, loose soils that are easy to burrow through. It is found at elevations up to 2,500 meters, avoiding dry or rocky terrains.
Diet
The Kano mole primarily eats earthworms, insects, and other soil invertebrates, which it locates using its sensitive snout and vibrations. It feeds mostly at night while tunneling underground, consuming several times its body weight daily to sustain its high metabolism.
Behavior
Kano moles are solitary and territorial, living in extensive underground burrow systems that they dig and maintain. They are primarily nocturnal, emerging to forage or expand tunnels at night, and they communicate through vocalizations and scent marking to defend their territory.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Kano mole is Vulnerable, with population trends declining due to habitat loss from deforestation and urbanization. Major threats include agricultural expansion and fragmentation of their mountainous habitats.