Desmana

Desmana is a small genus of semi-aquatic mole-like mammals in the family Talpidae. It contains two extant species, Desmana moschata, commonly known as the Russian desman, and Desmana pontica, the Pontic desman. These species are adapted to life in freshwater habitats and are among the few truly aquatic members of the mole family.

Desmans have elongated bodies, dense velvety fur, a long flexible snout, and a laterally compressed tail. Their hind feet are webbed, and the forelimbs are strong with broad claws, adaptations that aid in swimming and digging. They are generally brown or gray in color and are adapted for a life spent largely in water or along wet banks.

Desmans inhabit rivers, marshes, and wetlands in parts of Eastern Europe and western Asia, favoring slow-moving waters with dense aquatic vegetation and soft banks for burrowing. They construct burrow systems along riverbanks and may seek shelter among vegetation or in hollow banks.

Desmans are largely nocturnal and social behavior is typically solitary outside of breeding periods. They feed primarily on aquatic invertebrates, such as insect larvae, crustaceans, and mollusks, using their sensitive snouts to probe mud and sediment for prey. They can stay submerged for short periods while foraging.

Reproduction and life history vary by region, but breeding seasons occur periodically and gestation is around a month, yielding litters of several young. Juveniles reach maturity within the first year.

Conservation and status: Both species are considered threatened in many parts of their range due to habitat loss, river regulation, pollution, and wetland degradation. They are protected under regional wildlife laws, and conservation efforts include habitat restoration and protection of river corridors. Taxonomically, Desmana is sometimes placed in Desmaninae with other aquatic moles, though classifications vary; the genus today is represented by two living species, with a fossil record extending back to the Miocene.