The Aboriginal name for the marsupial mole varies according to
the locality in which it is found. In central Western Australia it
is referred to as the blind sand burrower, ‘Arra-jarra-ja’ or
‘Kakarratul’ for the northern species (N. caurinus) and
‘Itjaritjari’ for the southern species (N. typhlops). Elsewhere in
the southern Northern Territory, it is known as ‘Oor quamata’’; see
also Burbidge et al. (1988) for other aboriginal names.
The marsupial mole, a pouched species like many other marsupials, is
about 10 - 15 cm long, weighing 40 - 60 grams and has soft, fine fur
of a cream-yellow colour. It has no external sign of eyes, although
there is a pigment spot and degenerate remnants of eyes hidden under
the skin, and no sign of external ear pinnae but there are distinct
ear openings buried beneath the fur and the ears are presumably
functional for hearing. The nose (or muzzle) is a horny shield, or
pad which is divided into a upper and lower portion by a transverse
groove. The nostrils are small and slit like. The short tail, about
2 cm long, is encircled with rings and terminates in a horny knob;
the tail leaves an undulating trail in the sand when the mole walks
on the surface. The fore- and hindlimbs, and internal morphology,
clearly indicate that the marsupial mole is a strong burrower.
References: Bolam (1927), Stirling (1891), Gadow (1892),
Johnson
(1983),
Johnson and Walton (1989)
Source:
Marsuplial Moles (Notoryctes) by Philip Withers and Graham Thompson
Lake Eyre
Basin Coordinating Group
• 42 Plover St (PO Box 601), LONGREACH QLD
4730
• Ph: 07 4658 0600 • Fax: 07 4658 0122 •
• Check out the
Underground Activity page for information on the Marsupial Mole (Notoryctes
typhlops).
Marsuplial Moles (Notoryctes)
• by Philip Withers • Ph: 08 9380 2235 •
Fax: 08 9380 1029 •
• Graham Thompson • Ph: 08 9400 5427
• Fax: 08 9400 5440 •
• Good site with information on the biology
of the two living species of marsupial moles: Notoryctes typhlops and
Notoryctes caurinus.
Marsupial
Society of Australia
• GPO Box 2462, ADELAIDE SA 5001 • Ph: 08 8252
7800 • • Based in Adelaide, the MSA is dedicated to
providing information and education regarding keeping and breeding our
native Fauna in captivity. Although the Society does not rescue
individual animals, it provides support and guidance to those who do.
Check out their link to information on the
Marsupial Mole.
