National Museum of Natural Science

This is one of two species of moles in Taiwan, with this species endemic to the island. It was not officially described until 2007. It is similar in appearance to the Formosan blind mole but smaller, weighing around 40 grams, and its fur is darker. These two mole species have only slight differences in anatomical features such as tail length, nostril position, skull, and auditory vesicles, which can make it difficult to distinguish them at first glance. Currently, it is only known that the Kano mole is distributed in high mountain areas of Taiwan and in the plains of Kenting, Hualien, and Taitung. Its ecology and habits require further research.

Text/Chen Yan-Jun, Chen Mu-Xuan

Photo/Huang Xiao-Ting

Kano mole