The star-nosed mole has an extra pair of hands... on his nose!

**Martijn (admin)** Tue Aug 30, 2011 4:40 pm

Have you ever heard about the 'star nosed mole'? It is probably the only animal who appears to have an extra pair-of-hands... on his nose!

Here you can read more much about the functioning of this funy hand-like nose:
A nose that looks like a hand and acts like an eye: the unusual mechanosensory system of the star-nosed mole

PS. thinking

Maybe it is not surprizing to see a 'hand-like nose' in a mole specie, because moles in general are known for having an 'extra finger' - though formally it is a sesamoid bone, and thus it is not a real finger. More details about this unusual characteristic in the hand of a mole is described here:
http://handfacts.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/the-extra-thumb-in-the-mole-the-giant-panda-is-not-a-real-finger-its-a-sesamoid-bone/

Patti Tue Aug 30, 2011 5:50 pm

So adorable Wink

and fascinating! It's interesting studying the sensory function of these appendages.

The star-nosed mole has an extra pair of hands... on his nose! Star_n10

The star-nosed mole has an extra pair of hands... on his nose! Star_n10

**Martijn (admin)** Tue Aug 30, 2011 6:16 pm

Yes Patti... this is quite fascinating, and the following picture provides the impression that there are even 'dermatoglyphic-like'- and 'phalange-like' structures present on the 22 fingers of this hand-like nose:

http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/149108/enlarge

The star-nosed mole has an extra pair of hands... on his nose! C0086381-Nose_of_a_Star-nosed_mole-SPL

The star-nosed mole has an extra pair of hands... on his nose! C0086381-Nose_of_a_Star-nosed_mole-SPL

Patti Tue Aug 30, 2011 6:29 pm

Martijn (admin) wrote:
Yes Patti... this is quite fascinating, and the following picture provides the impression that there are even 'dermatoglyphic-like'- and 'phalange-like' structures present on the 22 fingers of this hand-like nose:

http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/149108/enlarge

That's the image I was looking for, I have it saved on my computer too, but found the other one instead.

These moles use the appendages when they burrough and search for prey. They have a heightened sense for vibration in the ground.

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The star-nosed mole has an extra pair of hands... on his nose!

The star-nosed mole has an extra pair of hands... on his nose!

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Re: The star-nosed mole has an extra pair of hands... on his nose!

Re: The star-nosed mole has an extra pair of hands... on his nose!

Re: The star-nosed mole has an extra pair of hands... on his nose!