In the time it takes you to blink, the star-nosed mole can gobble up an insect. This small burrowing mammal is the speediest eater in the world! The key to this feat is its funny nose, which is packed with 100,000 touch sensors and a super-sensitive spot right in the middle. Compare that with a human hand, which has only 17,000 sensors.
Scientists think that the mole’s nose evolved to help it find food underground. Insect larvae and worms are common in the wetlands of North America, where star-nosed moles live. While hunting in soggy soil, it doesn’t matter that the mole is mostly blind. By bopping its nose against the dirt up to 12 times per second, it can find all the food it needs!
Because it can find and eat insects so quickly, the mole can get the same energy from many small snacks as it could from one large meal.