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Glite Dictionary
Condylura cristata

Condylura cristata

9.9
A small mole with a pink star-shaped ring of feelers on its nose that it uses to find food
  • noun
  • /kɒnˈdɪljʊrə krɪˈsteɪtə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Condylura cristata
  • The Condylura cristata is easily recognized by the star-shaped appendages on its snout.

Examples

  • The Condylura cristata is known for its unique star-shaped nose.

  • Biologists studied the unique sensory abilities of the Condylura cristata in swampy areas.

  • A Condylura cristata can detect and eat prey with remarkable speed.

  • Many people have never seen a Condylura cristata in the wild.

  • The Condylura cristata uses its star-shaped nose to sense vibrations in the water.

  • In northeastern wetlands, the Condylura cristata forages for insects and worms.

  • The Condylura cristata is often found burrowing in soft, moist soil near ponds.

Synonyms

star-nosed mole
vsCondylura cristata
  • US
9.9

A small North American mole that lives in wet ground with a pink nose of many tentacles to find food

is the scientific name for the same species
starnose mole
vsCondylura cristata
  • US
9.9

A small mole found in eastern North America that lives in water and has many pink tentacles on its nose

is the scientific name for the same species

Surface Forms

Condylura cristata singular
Condylura cristatas plural

Morphology

Condylura + cristata

The genus name Condylura is explicitly defined as a group of moles with star-shaped snouts, so a learner who knows that constituent can infer that Condylura cristata refers to a species of that mole and expect the star-nosed characteristic. However, the species epithet 'cristata' is a Latin form not glossed here and would not be transparent to a B1 learner, so the full meaning is only partly predictable from the parts.

Etymology

The noun Condylura cristata names a small mole with pink, finger-like tentacles around its nose that form a little star. That clear picture explains why people call it the 'star-nosed mole' and helps you remember this species.