Talpidae Author Russell A. Mittermeier Author Don E. Wilson text 2018 2018-07-31 Lynx Edicions Barcelona Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos 52 619 book chapter http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6678191 6e85855c-9cd4-46e9-b1e1-5a643c103c3f 978-84-16728-08-4 6678191 Family TALPIDAE (MOLES, DESMANS, STAR-NOSED MOLES AND SHREW MOLES) • Very small to medium-large insectivores; typically with short velvety fur, short tails, and spade-like, outwardly turned front feet; and predominantly fossorial, but also semi-fossorial, ambulatory, or semi-aquatic habits. • 10-25 cm. • Holarctic and Indo-Malayan Regions. • Various terrestrial and aquatic biomes from boreal zones to tropics. • 18 genera, 54 species, 83 taxa. • 2 species Endangered, 2 species Vulnerable; none Extinct since 1600.