hairy-tailed mole
LowScientific/Technical
Definition
Meaning
A small, subterranean mammal, a species of mole, characterized by fur covering its short tail.
A specific, scientific term for the mole species of the genus Parascalops (North American hairy-tailed mole) or of the genus Parascaptor (Asian species), as opposed to the common mole.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a zoological term, not a metaphorical or idiomatic expression. Its use is almost exclusively confined to biological, ecological, and wildlife contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; however, British speakers are less likely to encounter this specific term due to the geographic distribution of the animal. American usage is more likely in wildlife contexts of the eastern US and Canada.
Connotations
Purely scientific/zoological; no cultural connotations.
Frequency
Virtually absent from general discourse; appears only in specialist literature.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The hairy-tailed mole [verbs: burrows, inhabits].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in zoology, biology, ecology, and wildlife management papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term for the specific taxonomic group.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The hairy-tailed mole population is stable.
- A hairy-tailed mole specimen was collected.
American English
- The hairy-tailed mole's range extends northward.
- Hairy-tailed mole activity was evident from the raised tunnels.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This animal is a hairy-tailed mole.
- The hairy-tailed mole, unlike the common mole, has a distinctly fur-covered tail.
- Researchers are studying the habitat of the North American hairy-tailed mole.
- Parascalops breweri, the hairy-tailed mole, is a keystone species in the forest floor ecosystem of northeastern North America.
- The burrowing patterns of the hairy-tailed mole differ significantly from those of the star-nosed mole.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Hairy' + 'tail' + 'mole' = a mole you can identify by its furry tail, unlike the naked-tailed common mole.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for this concrete zoological term.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'hairy-tailed' as 'волосатохвостый' unless in a strict zoological context; the standard Russian term is 'волосатохвостый крот', a direct calque.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'hairy-tailed mole' or 'hairytailed mole'.
- Confusing it with the more general term 'mole'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinguishing feature of the hairy-tailed mole?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specific species (Parascalops breweri in North America) with distinct physical characteristics, most notably a short, hairy tail.
The North American species is found in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, in deciduous and coniferous forests with moist, loamy soil.
Like other moles, it is insectivorous, primarily consuming earthworms, insect larvae, and other small invertebrates found in the soil.
No, it is a highly specialized zoological term. The general word 'mole' is used in everyday contexts.