Sand-swimming golden mole species, feared extinct, rediscovered after 86 years with the help of a mole-sniffing dog (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 9 months ago by dantheclamman@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world

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[-] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 4 points 9 months ago

Good dog, Jessie!

I wish they had said how they had a scent for Jessie to learn on. An 86 year-old pelt?

[-] dantheclamman@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

There are other related sand moles that aren't as rare as this particular species! So assumedly trained on those

[-] sagrotan@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

"Mole sniffing dog" - I'm intrigued. Once I had a golden mole (presumably another subspecies) in my hand, our guide in the Namibian desert showed us one, relatively easy to catch, as a human with a bucket. Unbelievably soft, very small, very light, nose like a chisel. They hear with their nose in the sand, that's how they catch their prey. Awesome little critters, masters of their environment.