About Scapanus townsendii (Bachman, 1839)
Scapanus townsendii (Bachman, 1839) has velvety black fur, a pointed snout, and a short, thick tail with almost no hair. The species reaches a total length of around 21 cm (8.3 in), including a 4 cm (1.6 in) tail, and weighs approximately 138 grams (4.9 oz). Its front paws are broad, spade-shaped, and specialized for digging, while its rear paws are smaller. It has 44 teeth, non-visible ears, and small eyes. In appearance, it is similar to the smaller coast mole. This species occurs in open lowland and wooded areas with moist soils along the Pacific coast, ranging from southwestern British Columbia to northwestern California. The entire range of this animal in Canada is estimated to be 20 km² (7.7 mi²).
