What kind of animal is a spider mole? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. The Japanese spider mole is such a minor mole that no one even mentions it in YouTube videos, and it is an animal that is only known among researchers, so I will explain it.
What is Senka Kumogura? About basic status
The spider mole is an animal classified into the genus Mole, family Moleidae, and order Mammalia. The body length is 12 cm and the weight is only 40 g. The scientific name is Mogera uchidai, and the kanji is Senkaku Toryu. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | センカクモグラ |
| English（英名） | Senkaku mole Ryukyu mole |
| scientific name(学名) | Mogera uchidai |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Eulipotyphla、 Talpidae、Mogera 哺乳綱、真無盲腸目、モグラ科、モグラ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Length（体長） | 12cm |
| Weight（体重） | 40g |
classification
| 階級 | 分類 |
|---|---|
| 界 | 動物界（Animalia） |
| 門 | 脊索動物門（Chordata） |
| 綱 | 哺乳綱（Mammalia） |
| 目 | モグラ目（Eulipotyphla） |
| 科 | モグラ科（Talpidae） |
| 属 | ウロトリクス属（Urotrichus） |
| 種 | センカクモグラ（Urotrichus talpoides） |
About habitat
The Senkaku spider is an endemic species that can only be found and seen in the Senkaku Islands in Japan. Although there are reports on the ecosystem of mammals, there are many mysteries.
- Distribution
Endemic to Japan, found throughout Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu
Not naturally found in Hokkaido
They are particularly common in mountainous and hilly areas, as well as moist forests and grasslands.
- Habitat
The Senkaku mole prefers soft soil suitable for underground living.
Forests
Deciduous broadleaf forests, secondary forests, etc.
Moist soil with plenty of fallen leaves and leaf humid soil is ideal.
Grasslands and farmland
Soft soil with good drainage
Around riverbeds and wetlands
Places with abundant earthworms and insects, providing abundant food.
- Altitude and Climate
Altitude: Flatlands to mountains (approximately 0-1,500m)
Climate: Prefers a warm, humid climate.
Avoid areas with overly dry or hard soil.
- Habitat Characteristics
They live underground and are rarely seen above ground.
They dig tunnels underground to search for insects and earthworms to feed on.
Moist soil and plenty of leaf litter are essential.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Unlike other species, the spider mole is characterized by its long and slender snout. It has fewer teeth than other moles, making it different from any other genus in the Moleidae family. It is recognized as a new species because it has fewer teeth than other species in the mole family. Furthermore, the Senka Kumogra is an unusual species that prefers to live in tropical areas where moles do not like.
- Physical Characteristics
Body Length: Approximately 10-15cm
Weight: Approximately 30-50g
Fur Color: Dark black-brown to gray-brown, with soft, short fur
Limbs:
Forelegs are broad and have sharp claws suitable for digging.
Hinlegs are short and are used to push excavated soil.
Tail: Very short
Eyes and Ears:
Eyes are very small and have almost no vision.
Ears are also small and have sensitive hearing, but their hearing is not noticeable.
- Behavior and Personality
Mainly underground (spends most of its time underground).
Highly cautious.
Sensitive to predators and vibrations.
Highly solitary.
Tunnels are generally dug alone, rarely coming into contact with other individuals.
- Diet
Completely carnivorous
Eats mainly earthworms, insects, larvae, and small invertebrates
Feeding Method
Uses its snout and front legs to dig through underground tunnels to find food.
Activity Pattern
Both nocturnal and diurnal, active when food is abundant.
- Ecological Characteristics
Live in underground tunnels
Digs underground burrows and feeding tunnels.
Moves, rests, and feeds in tunnels.
Senses
Has poor eyesight, but has a well-developed sense of touch and smell.
What does the ecology look like?
The spider mole is omnivorous, subsisting on insects and myriapods. The reproductive form is viviparous. There are many mysteries about their ecology, and because they are never seen outdoors, research has not progressed very well. The maximum lifespan is probably 2 to 3 years.
- Living Environment
Mainly underground life
Digs tunnels and moves, rests, and feeds underground.
Rarely seen above ground.
Habitat
Forests, grasslands, and moist soil in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
Prefers soft soil with a lot of deciduous leaves.
- Diet
Completely carnivorous
Preys on earthworms, insects, larvae, and small invertebrates.
Foraging Behavior
Digs the soil with its front legs and searches for food with its snout.
Their senses of smell and touch are well-developed to efficiently find food underground.
- Behavior
Solitary life underground.
Generally uses tunnels alone and has its own territory.
Activity Period
Highly nocturnal, but may be active during the day when food is abundant.
Defense/Vigilance
Sensitive to predators and vibrations, they will hide in deep tunnels if they sense danger.
- Breeding and Rearing
Breeding Season: Spring–Summer
Gestation Period: Approximately 25–30 days
Litter Size: Approximately 2–5 pups per litter
Burrows
They build underground nests out of soft leaves and soil.
The young are furry and can move independently while under the mother’s protection.
Are there any natural enemies?
The spider mole probably has no natural enemies.
About Senkaku mole juveniles
This article provides detailed information about Senkaku mole (Urotrichus talpoides) juveniles.
- Birth and Early Characteristics
Birthing Season: Spring to Summer (Varies by Region and Climate)
Litter Size: Approximately 2-5 Pups per Litter
Weight and Length: Approximately 5-10g at birth, approximately 3-5cm in length
Appearance:
Very short and soft fur, but thin fur grows at birth.
Eyes are closed (open within a few days to a week).
Ears are still small and not very noticeable externally.
- Behavior and Lifestyle
Protected by their mother in a burrow
Raised in an underground burrow made of fallen leaves and soil.
Dependent on their mother
Dependent on nursing for the first few days after birth
As their mother moves away, they gradually begin to practice foraging in tunnels outside.
Early Feeding
Around 2 weeks of age, they gradually begin to practice eating earthworms and insects.
- Developmental Process
Postnatal Period: Characteristics and Behaviors: Immediately after birth, their eyes are closed and they nurse in the burrow. Their fur is thin and short. At 1-2 weeks, their eyes open and they begin moving around the burrow. At 2-3 weeks, they begin practicing foraging. They move around the tunnel with their mother. They leave the burrow and become independent after about 1 month. At around 2 months, they begin to resemble adults in terms of lifestyle.
- Defense and Vigilance
Young pups hide in the burrow to protect themselves from predators.
If the mother senses danger, she will evacuate them to a deeper burrow or another tunnel.
Is the Japanese spider mole an endangered species?
The Japanese spider mole is classified as endangered on the Okinawa Prefecture Red List and is in danger of extinction. In 2010, the “Senka Kumogra Protection Association” was established. This group is conducting research on the species, including its ecology. Since it is originally a rare species and the number of individuals is small, there is still a need to understand it.
- Conservation Status
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List
Rating: Least Concern (LC)
Reason: Widely distributed across Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, with a relatively stable population.
Status in Japan
Inhabits a wide range of suitable environments, including mountains, forests, and moist soil.
Not subject to special legal protection.
- Reasons for Stability
Highly Adaptable
Can inhabit a variety of terrains, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands.
Subterranean Life
Because they live underground, they are less susceptible to predators and environmental changes.
Reproductive Ability
Breeds in spring and summer, giving birth to 2-5 young at a time.
- Caution
Localized declines may occur due to deforestation, residential development, and agricultural land conversion.
Drying and hardening of soil can limit their habitat.
Can a spider mole be kept as a pet?
The Japanese spider mole is designated as an endangered species, so it is impossible for the general public to keep it in captivity. We recommend that you actually go to the Senkaku Islands and observe them.
- Legal Issues
Capturing and raising wild specimens in Japan may be restricted by the Wildlife Protection Act and local ordinances.
Capturing and raising them without permission may be illegal.
Zoos and research institutions may keep them with special permission, but they are generally prohibited from being kept in ordinary homes.
- Difficulties in Raising Them
Subterranean Species
They live by digging tunnels underground, so their environment cannot be recreated in a breeding cage.
They are highly cautious.
They are not friendly with people and are easily stressed.
They may become aggressive if picked up or handled.
Their diet is unique.
They mainly feed on underground prey such as earthworms and insects.
Nutrition management at home is extremely difficult.
- Difficulty in Recreating Their Living Environment
Soft soil and underground tunnels are required for breeding.
Humidity and temperature control are also important, making it difficult to perfectly recreate their natural environment.
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