Japanese Shrew Mole, Oki Subspecies

This Oki endemic species is a subspecies of the Japanese shrew mole. It is small, measuring about 10 cm in length, and resembles a mole. It feeds on insects, worms, and spiders. It is also considered a pest, because it destroys the ridges of rice paddies and crops in fields. Its Japanese name himizu is derived from a Japanese word meaning "to not appear in the sun," but despite its name, it does sometimes appear above ground.