Russian desman
Desmana moschata



Back to the central gallery Back to the central gallery
Russian desman
  Identification:
Mass: 180-220 g
Body length: 180-220 mm
Tail length: 170-210 mm
Colour: dark brown
Young: 1-5 per litter

Habitat: slow rivers and oxbow lakes

Diet: snails, clams, insects, leeches, frogs, and some aquatic plant roots
Natural History:

The Russian desman (or "vyhuhol") is widespread in the major river basins of European Russia and easternmost Ukraine, but is rare due to extensive trapping in the 19th century, displacement by introduced muskrats, and habitat loss.

Similar to muskrats in size and appearance, Desmana possesses a glossy waterproof pelt and a long tail flattened from side to side. However, they are easily distinguished by their long, constantly moving snout. These aquatic invertebrate eaters are active year-round, though mostly at dusk. Signs of their presence are piles of empty snail shells, and deep trails in the bottom silt fanning out from their burrow entrance.

Burrows are typically 1-10 m long, with a underwater entrance 12-14 cm high and 15-18 cm wide. Another type of burrow is built in large tussocks, with the tunnel rising as a spiral from the entrance to the nest. The nesting chamber is above water level, usually just below the soil surface

 
Click here for an enlarged view Click here for an enlarged view

Russian desman
 



  Back to the central gallery
  (Text © K. Campbell 1998-2009)