Home › Mammalia › Talpidae › Russian Desman (Desmana moschata)
SPECIES PROFILE
Russian Desman (Desmana moschata)
Desmana
IUCN STATUS
Critically Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Critically Endangered
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Volga, Don, Ural basins Russia
DIET
Insectivorous/Carnivorous
HABITAT
Slow rivers, lakes, wetlands
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Eulipotyphla
FAMILY
Talpidae
GENUS
Desmana
📋 Description
SIZE
18-22 cm body + 18 cm tail, 400-520 g
COLORATION
Dark brown, dense fur
ADAPTATIONS
Webbed feet, flattened scaly tail, long snout
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Slow rivers, lakes, wetlands
DIET
Insectivorous/Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Volga, Don, Ural basins Russia
REPRODUCTION
3-5 young
DIET DETAILS
Aquatic invertebrates, small fish
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, pollution, illegal fishing nets
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The Russian desman has a strong musky scent gland and was once hunted for its fur. It lives in family groups in riverbank burrows.
2
Its population has crashed dramatically in the last 50 years and it is now critically endangered.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Volga Delta Russia
Khopyor Nature Reserve Russia
Oksky Nature Reserve Russia
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Extremely rare; protected reserves along rivers.
