star-nosed mole

American  

[stahr-nohzd] / ˈstɑrˌnoʊzd /

Or starnose mole

noun

1. a North American mole, Condylura cristata, having a starlike ring of fleshy processes around the end of the snout.

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star-nosed mole British  

noun

1. an E North American amphibious mole, Condylura cristata , having a ring of pink fleshy tentacles around the nose

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Etymology

Origin of star-nosed mole

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Example Sentences

Researchers compared the genomes of these mammals with those of a diverse assortment of others, including an aardvark, a meerkat, a star-nosed mole and a human.

From New York Times • Apr. 27, 2023

To emphasize the sensitivity of the snout of the star-nosed mole, Higgins says, “Imagine having six times the sensitivity of your entire hand concentrated in a single fingertip.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 21, 2022

Here, for your viewing pleasure, is a picture of the star-nosed mole babies.

From The Verge • May 22, 2016

At the west end of the yard sat the Illinois, a suction dredge that looked like a mechanical star-nosed mole.

From New York Times • Jul. 31, 2013

At one point she looks up at me like I’ve turned into a star-nosed mole and then goes back to it.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson