Long-tailed mole

The long-tailed mole (Scaptonyx fusicauda)^[2] is a species of mole in the family Talpidae. It is found in China, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Long-tailed mole
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Eulipotyphla
Family:	Talpidae
Subfamily:	Talpinae
Tribe:	Scaptonychini Van Valen, 1967
Genus:	Scaptonyx Milne-Edwards, 1872
Species:	S. fusicauda
Binomial name
Scaptonyx fusicauda Milne-Edwards, 1872
Long-tailed Mole range
Synonyms
Scaptonyx affinis Thomas, 1912 Scaptonyx fuscicaudus

Taxonomy

The species is the only species in the genus Scaptonyx and the tribe Scaptonychini.^[3] At least two subspecies are recognized in China: S. f. affinis occurs in Yunnan and Guizhou, S. f. fusicauda in Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Guizhou.^[1]

Ecology

This mole is fully fossorial and spends its life underground. It has been found at relatively high elevations of 2,000-4,100 m and appears to prefer damp, coniferous montane forests.^[1]