Insular mole facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Insular mole
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)(includes latouchei and kanoana)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Eulipotyphla
Family:	Talpidae
Genus:	Mogera
Species:	M. insularis
Binomial name
Mogera insularis R. Swinhoe, 1863
Insular mole range (erroneously includes whole of Taiwan)
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The insular mole (Mogera insularis) is a small mammal that lives underground. It belongs to the Talpidae family, which includes all moles. This special mole is found only on Hainan Island and in Taiwan. In Taiwan, it is also known as the Formosan blind mole. Robert Swinhoe was the first person to describe this species in 1863.

What is the Insular Mole?

The insular mole is a type of mole that spends most of its life digging tunnels underground. Like other moles, it has a strong body built for digging. It has small eyes and a pointed snout.

Where Does the Insular Mole Live?

This mole lives in two main places: Hainan Island in China and Taiwan. These islands are its natural home. Moles prefer soft soil where they can easily dig their tunnels and find food.

How Do Scientists Study Moles?

Scientists often study animals by looking at their chromosomes. These are tiny parts inside cells that carry genetic information. The insular mole is interesting because it has 32 chromosomes. Other moles in its family usually have 34 to 38 chromosomes. This difference helps scientists understand how different mole species are related.

Discovering New Mole Species

For a long time, scientists thought that moles from Hainan, Taiwan, and parts of mainland China were all the same species. But in 2007, new studies looked closely at these moles.

The La Touche's Mole

Scientists found that the moles living in mainland China and northern Vietnam were actually a different species. They named this mole La Touche's mole (M. latouchei). This meant it was no longer considered the same as the insular mole.

The Kano's Mole

The same study also looked at moles in Taiwan. They discovered that moles living in the mountains and western lowlands of Taiwan were also a new species. This new species was named Kano's mole (M. kanoana).

The Hainan Mole

Later, in 2021, more genetic studies suggested that the moles on Hainan Island might also be their own separate species. If this is true, then the insular mole would only be found in Taiwan. These studies help us learn more about the amazing variety of life on Earth.