Chapter 1
The pink starburst face
Chapter 2
The speed-eating champion
Chapter 3
The bubble-blowing scuba diver
YOUR GOAL
Master of The superpowered snout of the star-nosed mole
Ch 2 · The speed-eating champion
futura The Star-Nosed Mole
Fastest-eating champ of the underground mud! (Oh yeah!) / One-fifth of a second to swallow that grub! (That's right!)
futura This active mammal constantly hunts earthworms, aquatic insects, and small grubs to satisfy its incredibly fast-paced metabolism.
futura A clean isometric 3D render displays the star-nosed mole with precise technical labels.
Fun Fact
Brain speed: The star-nosed mole's brain decides if an object is edible in just eight milliseconds, the absolute limit of nervous system speed.
Glossary
handling time (noun)
The amount of time an animal spends capturing, subduing, and consuming a single piece of food. In 2005, researchers recorded the star-nosed mole's average handling time at an incredibly brief 230 milliseconds.
The amount of time an animal spends capturing, subduing, and consuming a single piece of food. In 2005, researchers recorded the star-nosed mole's average handling time at an incredibly brief 230 milliseconds.
Quiz
Which neuroscientist at Vanderbilt University led the major studies on star-nosed mole sensory biology?
Quiz
What is the star-nosed mole's record-breaking eating speed for a single piece of food?
Quiz
How long does it take for a star-nosed mole's brain to decide if an object is edible?
Quiz
What shape are the star-nosed mole's front incisor teeth, adapted for catching tiny prey?
Quiz
In which scientific journal was the star-nosed mole's record-breaking eating speed first published?