Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Talpidae
- Genus
- Scaptonyx
Habitat
This species inhabits moist, forested areas and grasslands in central and eastern China, preferring loose, well-drained soils for burrowing. It is often found in mountainous regions up to elevations of 2,500 meters, where it can access abundant invertebrates.
Diet
The Long-tailed mole primarily eats earthworms, insects, and other soil invertebrates, which it captures while tunneling underground. It forages mainly at night, using its sensitive snout to detect prey in dark burrows. Feeding behavior involves creating extensive tunnel networks to access food sources.
Behavior
The Long-tailed mole is solitary and territorial, marking its burrows to defend against intruders. It is primarily nocturnal, spending the day in deep tunnels and emerging at night to forage and expand its network. Notable behaviors include rapid digging and occasional surface activity during rainy periods.
Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Long-tailed mole is classified as Least Concern, with a stable population trend. Major threats include habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion.