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Moles possess powerful hindlimbs and large forelimbs equipped with paws adapted for digging.
Answer: True
Moles possess powerful forelimbs and large paws adapted for digging, which are crucial for their subterranean lifestyle.
Moles survive in low-oxygen environments by having hemoglobin with a lower affinity for oxygen.
Answer: False
Moles survive in low-oxygen environments due to hemoglobin with a higher affinity for oxygen and their ability to reuse exhaled air.
Moles possess polydactyl forepaws, commonly referred to as an 'extra thumb' or 'prepollex'.
Answer: True
Moles possess polydactyl forepaws, featuring an extra digit commonly referred to as an 'extra thumb' or 'prepollex'.
The mole's 'extra thumb' (prepollex) develops from a transformed finger bone, similar to human thumbs.
Answer: False
The mole's 'extra thumb' (prepollex) develops from a transformed sesamoid bone in the wrist, not from a finger bone.
The unique polydactyly in moles is potentially linked to androgenic steroids and the presence of mixed-tissue gonads.
Answer: True
The unique polydactyly in moles is potentially linked to androgenic steroids and the presence of mixed-tissue gonads.
The unique velvety texture of mole fur allows them to move easily both forwards and backwards in their burrows.
Answer: True
The unique velvety texture of mole fur, lacking a directional nap, allows them to move easily both forwards and backwards within their burrows.
The mole's specialized hemoglobin allows it to function better in high-oxygen environments.
Answer: False
The mole's specialized hemoglobin allows it to function better in low-oxygen environments, not high-oxygen ones.
What is the primary characteristic that enables moles to thrive in subterranean environments?
Answer: Their powerful forelimbs with large paws adapted for digging.
Moles possess powerful forelimbs and large paws specifically adapted for digging, which are essential for their subterranean existence.
What physiological adaptation allows moles to efficiently survive in the low-oxygen conditions found underground?
Answer: Their hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen and they reuse exhaled air.
Moles possess specialized hemoglobin with a higher affinity for oxygen, enabling efficient utilization in low-oxygen subterranean environments, and they can also reuse exhaled air.
The unique anatomical feature on a mole's forepaw, known as the prepollex, is essentially:
Answer: An extra digit, often called an 'extra thumb'.
The prepollex, a unique anatomical feature on a mole's forepaw, is essentially an extra digit, commonly referred to as an 'extra thumb'.
How does the development of the mole's 'extra thumb' (prepollex) differ from its other digits?
Answer: It develops from a transformed sesamoid bone in the wrist.
The mole's 'extra thumb' (prepollex) develops from a transformed sesamoid bone in the wrist, distinct from the development of its other digits.
What potential biological factor is suggested to be linked to the polydactyly trait in moles?
Answer: The presence of androgenic steroids and mixed gonads.
The unique polydactyly trait in moles is potentially linked to androgenic steroids and the presence of mixed-tissue gonads.
The velvety texture of mole fur is advantageous because it:
Answer: Allows for easy movement both forwards and backwards within tunnels.
The velvety texture of mole fur, lacking a directional nap, allows for effortless movement in both forward and backward directions within tunnels.
How does the mole's specialized hemoglobin aid its survival underground?
Answer: It has a higher affinity for oxygen, improving utilization in low-oxygen conditions.
The mole's specialized hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen, enhancing its utilization in the low-oxygen environments found underground.
The scientific family name 'Talpidae' is derived from a Latin word meaning 'mole'.
Answer: True
The scientific family name 'Talpidae' is derived from the Latin word 'talpa,' meaning 'mole'.
African golden moles and Australian marsupial moles are classified within the Talpidae family due to shared ancestry.
Answer: False
African golden moles and Australian marsupial moles are not classified within the Talpidae family; their similarities to true moles are due to convergent evolution, not shared ancestry.
Moles are currently classified under the order Eulipotyphla, which also includes bats and flying squirrels.
Answer: False
Moles are classified within the order Eulipotyphla, an order that does not include bats or flying squirrels.
The Scalopinae subfamily includes Old World moles, desmans, and shrew moles.
Answer: False
The Scalopinae subfamily comprises New World moles, while the Talpinae subfamily includes Old World moles, desmans, and shrew moles.
Marsupial moles are evolutionarily closer to true moles than golden moles are.
Answer: False
Marsupial moles are evolutionarily more distant from true moles than golden moles are.
The American shrew mole is found in Europe and belongs to the genus *Talpa*.
Answer: False
The American shrew mole is found in North America and belongs to the genus *Neurotrichus*, not *Talpa* which is found in Europe.
The term 'talpa' is the French word for mole, forming the basis of the family name Talpidae.
Answer: False
The term 'talpa' is the Latin word for mole, forming the basis of the family name Talpidae.
The European mole belongs to the subfamily Scalopinae.
Answer: False
The European mole belongs to the subfamily Talpinae, not Scalopinae.
The family name 'Talpidae', which includes true moles, originates from which language and word?
Answer: Latin, 'talpa' meaning 'mole'.
The family name 'Talpidae' originates from the Latin word 'talpa,' which translates to 'mole'.
Mammals like the African golden mole and Australian marsupial mole are sometimes called 'moles' due to:
Answer: Convergent evolution leading to similar subterranean lifestyles.
Mammals like the African golden mole and Australian marsupial mole are colloquially called 'moles' due to convergent evolution resulting in similar subterranean lifestyles, despite lacking close evolutionary ties to true moles.
Moles were previously classified under the order Insectivora, which was later abandoned because:
Answer: The order was not monophyletic, meaning it didn't include all descendants of a common ancestor.
The order Insectivora was abandoned because it was not monophyletic, meaning it did not encompass all descendants of a common ancestor.
Which subfamily within Talpidae includes the Old World moles, desmans, and shrew moles?
Answer: Talpinae
The subfamily Talpinae includes the Old World moles, desmans, and shrew moles.
The genus *Condylura*, known for the star-nosed mole, belongs to which subfamily?
Answer: Scalopinae
The genus *Condylura*, which includes the star-nosed mole, belongs to the subfamily Scalopinae.
What distinctive physical feature helps differentiate golden moles and marsupial moles from true moles?
Answer: Shovel-like patches on their noses used for digging.
Golden moles and marsupial moles are distinguished from true moles by shovel-like patches on their noses used for digging.
Golden moles, despite their mole-like appearance, are evolutionarily related to which group of animals?
Answer: Elephants, manatees, and aardvarks.
Golden moles are evolutionarily related to elephants, manatees, and aardvarks, despite their mole-like appearance.
Moles are primarily insectivores, with earthworms forming only a minor part of their diet.
Answer: False
Moles are primarily omnivores, with earthworms constituting the main component of their diet, supplemented by other soil invertebrates.
A male mole is referred to as a 'boar', while a female mole is called a 'sow'.
Answer: True
A male mole is referred to as a 'boar,' and a female mole is called a 'sow'.
Moles use their tunnels primarily for shelter and rarely for hunting or food storage.
Answer: False
Moles utilize their tunnels for hunting and food storage, employing them as effective traps and constructing 'larders' for prey.
Mole 'larders' are typically used to store live, unparalyzed earthworms for future feeding.
Answer: False
Mole 'larders' are used to store live, paralyzed earthworms for future feeding.
The star-nosed mole is known for its slow feeding speed, taking several seconds to consume prey.
Answer: False
The star-nosed mole is known for its exceptional feeding speed, consuming prey too rapidly for the human eye to follow.
The mole breeding season typically occurs during the winter months, from November to January.
Answer: False
The mole breeding season typically occurs from February through May, not during winter months.
Townsend's moles have a longer gestation period than the Eastern mole.
Answer: False
The Eastern mole has a gestation period of approximately 42 days, which is longer than the approximately one-month gestation period of Townsend's moles.
Moles are highly social animals that live in large family groups.
Answer: False
Moles are typically solitary creatures, only interacting for mating purposes, and males may engage in fights if they encounter one another.
Moles primarily avoid contact with each other, and males may fight if they meet.
Answer: True
Moles are typically solitary and avoid contact, with males known to fight if they encounter each other.
Which of the following is the main component of a mole's diet?
Answer: Earthworms
Earthworms form the main component of a mole's diet, supplemented by other soil invertebrates.
Moles store captured earthworms in specialized underground chambers called:
Answer: Larders
Moles store captured earthworms in specialized underground chambers known as 'larders'.
The star-nosed mole is particularly noted for its:
Answer: Exceptional feeding speed, too fast for the human eye.
The star-nosed mole is noted for its exceptional feeding speed, consuming prey too rapidly for the human eye to follow.
During which months does the mole breeding season typically occur?
Answer: March to May
The mole breeding season typically occurs from February through May, varying slightly by species.
How do male moles typically search for females during the breeding season?
Answer: By emitting high-pitched squeals and tunneling through unfamiliar territories.
During the breeding season, male moles search for females by emitting high-pitched squeals and tunneling through unfamiliar territories.
Which of the following statements about mole social behavior is accurate according to the source?
Answer: Moles are generally solitary, only interacting for mating, and males may fight each other.
Moles are typically solitary creatures, interacting mainly for mating, and males may engage in fights if they encounter one another.
True moles are distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia, but are notably absent from Ireland.
Answer: True
True moles are distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia, with the notable exception of Ireland.
Moles benefit ecosystems primarily by consuming large quantities of plant roots.
Answer: False
Moles benefit ecosystems by aerating soil through burrowing and consuming invertebrates that can damage plants; they do not primarily consume plant roots.
Which continent is notably excluded from the typical distribution range of true moles?
Answer: Europe (specifically Ireland)
True moles are distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia, but are notably absent from Ireland.
What ecological role do moles play in soil and garden environments?
Answer: They aerate the soil through burrowing and consume invertebrates that damage plants.
Moles play a vital ecological role by aerating the soil through their extensive burrowing and by consuming invertebrates, such as slugs and insects, that can harm plants.
In Middle English, moles were called 'dirt-tossers', reflecting their burrowing habits.
Answer: False
In Middle English, moles were known as 'moldwarps.' Related Germanic terms translate to 'one who throws soil' or 'dirt-tosser,' reflecting their burrowing behavior.
Queen Alexandra's endorsement of mole fur led to its decline in fashion popularity.
Answer: False
Queen Alexandra's endorsement of mole fur initiated a fashion trend, significantly boosting its popularity and the industry.
The natural color of mole fur is typically grey, and it is difficult to dye.
Answer: False
The natural color of mole fur is taupe, and it readily accepts dyeing.
The fabric known as 'moleskin' is made from actual mole pelts.
Answer: False
The fabric 'moleskin' is a cotton textile, not made from actual mole pelts.
Moles are considered agricultural pests because their burrowing can damage farm machinery by uncovering stones.
Answer: True
Moles are considered agricultural pests because their burrowing can damage farm machinery by uncovering stones and disturbing plant roots.
Molehills are created when moles consume soil along with their prey.
Answer: False
Molehills are mounds of soil excavated from tunnels, not created by consuming soil along with prey.
Traditional mole control methods included the use of live traps and sonic repellents.
Answer: False
Traditional mole control methods included traps and poisons; sonic repellents are a more modern approach.
Modern chemical mole control often uses tablets containing aluminum phosphide, which releases phosphine gas.
Answer: True
Modern chemical mole control often utilizes tablets containing aluminum phosphide, which releases phosphine gas upon contact with moisture.
High-grade nitrogen gas is considered an environmentally friendly method for mole control.
Answer: True
High-grade nitrogen gas is considered an environmentally friendly method for mole control due to its lack of environmental pollution.
Relocating captured moles is considered a humane method for managing mole populations.
Answer: True
Relocating captured moles is considered a humane method for managing mole populations.
Archaeologists find molehills useful because they often contain valuable minerals brought up from deep underground.
Answer: False
Archaeologists find molehills useful as they can bring small artifacts, such as pottery sherds, to the surface, not valuable minerals.
The image of dead moles hung on a fence represents a modern method of pest control.
Answer: False
The image of dead moles hung on a fence depicts a traditional practice of pest control, not a modern one.
William Buckland found the taste of mole meat to be quite pleasant.
Answer: False
William Buckland reportedly found the taste of mole meat to be vile, not pleasant.
What historical event significantly boosted the mole fur industry in Scotland?
Answer: Queen Alexandra commissioning a mole-fur garment, starting a fashion trend.
Queen Alexandra's commissioning of a mole-fur garment initiated a fashion trend, significantly boosting the mole fur industry.
Why are moles considered agricultural pests in some regions?
Answer: Their burrowing contaminates silage and covers pastures with soil.
Moles are considered agricultural pests because their burrowing activities contaminate silage and cover pastures with soil, reducing their quality and yield.
Which of the following is a humane method for managing mole populations?
Answer: Capturing moles alive for relocation.
Capturing moles alive for relocation is considered a humane method for managing mole populations.
How can moles inadvertently aid archaeologists in their work?
Answer: By bringing small artifacts to the surface in their molehills.
Moles can assist archaeologists by bringing small artifacts, such as pottery sherds, to the surface through their digging activities.
What is the primary component in modern chemical mole control tablets like Phostoxin or Talunex?
Answer: Aluminum phosphide
Aluminum phosphide is the primary component in modern chemical mole control tablets like Phostoxin or Talunex, releasing phosphine gas.
The term 'moleskin' as a fabric likely derives its name from:
Answer: The durability and texture resembling actual mole fur.
The fabric 'moleskin' likely derives its name from its durability and texture, which resembles actual mole fur.
Which of the following is NOT a traditional method for controlling moles mentioned in the source?
Answer: Employing high-grade nitrogen gas.
Employing high-grade nitrogen gas is a modern, environmentally friendly method for mole control and was not mentioned as a traditional method.
What did William Buckland find regarding the taste of mole meat?
Answer: It was vile.
William Buckland, known for his adventurous palate, reportedly found the taste of mole meat to be vile.