Relatively unknown and largely a mystery even to local people, the Marsupial Mole is an unusual little creature. Much like the Golden Mole of Africa, the Marsupial Mole differs in a few amazing aspects!

Marsupial Moles have a very limited range. These amazing little creatures live underground, and can actually breathe through grains of desert sand! These Moles tunnel through Australia's desert dunes just below the surface, usually at a depth of five to ten centimeters. As they tunnel, the passages behind them collapse, leaving tracks visible on the surface. Marsupial Moles live on insects like earthworms and ant or beetle larvae, which they find under the ground. Marsupial Moles do not require drinking water! They come to the surface only after heavy rains and are very rarely found. It is believed that they are solitary. Because they live underground, Marsupial Moles are blind and have a very poor sense of hearing, but their senses of touch and of smell are quite highly developed.

At maturity, the Marsupial Mole measures between 14 and 20 inches in length. Its eyes are vestigial, lacking pupils and lenses, and its ears are hidden under its skin. These rather strange looking animals have a horny casing over their sharp, sensitive snouts and their short tails are quite leathery. The entire mole is rather wedge-shaped, allowing it to move more easily through the sand; there is no narrowing for a neck. Its claws and third and fourth digits are spade-shaped, which also assists it in digging. There are five digits on each foot. The pouches of Marsupial Moles open toward the rear of the mole so that sand from the front end is not kicked into them. The finely textured, silky fur of the Marsupial Mole ranges in color from a sandy white to a deep gold hue. The northern subspecies of Marsupial Mole has cinnamon red to pinkish colored fur.

There are two populations of Marsupial Mole, both living in Australia. One lives in the southern to central deserts, and the other lives in the northwest of Australia. The northern variety is thought to be a separate or sub- species from the southern variety. Marsupial Moles are quite different from other Marsupials and appear to be closer relatives to Bandicoots or African Golden Moles than to most other animals. Although very little is known about the habits of the Marsupial Mole or their population numbers, some conservationists fear that the moles may be threatened by habitat loss.

Little is known about Marsupial Moles, but they may be growing scarce due to habitat loss. Unfortunately, no one knows for sure. People who sight Marsupial Moles are encouraged to contact authorities at the Australian Parks and Wildlife Commission with their observations.

Marsupial Moles probably breed around the month of November. It is thought that they produce one or two young.