Iberian mole

Fascinating facts about the Iberian mole

• Iberian mole females possess both ovarian and testicular tissue, a condition known as hermaphroditism. Their reproductive organs are ovotestes, which contain the two types of tissue in one structure. During the breeding season the relative size of the testicular portion shrinks compared with the ovarian part, reflecting a seasonal shift in reproductive investment. This dual system is shared with other members of the genus.
• A minority of Iberian moles that appear male are genetically XX rather than the usual XY. Genetic testing showed these phenotypic males carried two X chromosomes, confirming an unusual sex chromosome composition. Although they look like typical males, this chromosomal difference is rare within the population. Their existence highlights the species' complex reproductive biology.
• The XX males that resemble normal males have markedly smaller testicles and are unable to sire offspring. Externally they are indistinguishable from XY males, but the reduced testicular size is evident upon closer examination. Internally the testicular tissue differs in structure from that of XY males, and this anatomical difference renders the individuals infertile. Consequently, these XX males do not contribute to the gene pool.
• The Iberian mole breeds from September through May, with females capable of becoming pregnant between October and April. Each gestation lasts about 28 days, after which the newborns are nursed for roughly 30 days before being weaned by May. Males do not reach sexual maturity until they are about one year old, ensuring that the breeding cycle spans several months each year.
• Iberian moles favour moist soils found in meadows, cropland, pastures and woodlands across the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula, avoiding areas that are too rocky, sandy or otherwise unsuitable for digging. They thrive in both naturally wet soils and artificially irrigated fields, seeking habitats rich in earthworms. Their prevalence is especially high where traditional agricultural practices maintain these damp, deep soils.

Sources

Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.

• Wikipedia

At a glance

About the Iberian mole

In the sun-baked soils of the Iberian Peninsula, a secretive and enigmatic creature stirs, its slender, hairless body undulating as it navigates the dark, labyrinthine tunnels it calls home. The Iberian mole is a master of subterranean exploration, its powerful front legs and long, sensitive snout guiding it through the dense, earthy matrix with ease, as it seeks out the invertebrate prey that sustains it. As it moves, the mole's tiny, bead-like eyes remain closed, its world reduced to a realm of tactile sensation, where every tremor and vibration is a vital cue in its quest for survival.

More mammals to discover

Browse Feravox