MARSUPIAL MOLE (Noloryctes typhlops), the “Ur-quamata”
of the natives, an aberrant polyprotodont from central South
Marsupial Mole (Notoryctes
typhlops).
Australia, constituting a
family (Noloryctidae). This
is a small burrowing animal,
of a pale golden-yellow colour,
with long silky hair, a horny
shield on the nose, and a
stumpy leathery tail. The
feet are five-toed, and the
third and fourth toes of the
front pair armed with enormous
claws adapted for digging. Neither ear-conches nor
eyes are visible externally. There are but three pairs of incisor
teeth in each jaw, and the upper molars are tricuspid. This
animal spends most of its time burrowing in the sand in
search of insects and their larvae, but occasionally makes its
appearance on the surface.
