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    Talpidae – Shrew-moles

    The first tapids are believed to evolve from shrew-like creatures that were adapted for digging during the late Eocene in Europe

    A family of moles, shrew moles, and desmans. These creatures are all digging animals to various degrees. The earliest living tapids are believed to be shrew-like moles, and other species were adapted further into the aquatic and subterranean lifestyle.

    In general, they are small animals with dark pelage, a cylindrical body, and a tubular, hairless snout. All members have small eyes and poorly developed eyesight, but only a small number of them are truly blind. Therefore, they depend heavily on the sense of touch.