What is "condylura cristata"

Starnose \Star"nose`\ (st[aum]r"n[=o]z`), n. (Zo["o]l.) A curious American mole ( Condylura cristata) having the nose expanded at the end into a stellate disk; -- called also star-nosed mole.

Mole \Mole\, n. [OE. molle, either shortened fr. moldwerp, or from the root of E. mold soil: cf. D. mol, OD. molworp. See Moldwarp.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) Any insectivore of the family Talpid[ae]. They have minute eyes and ears, soft fur, and very large and strong fore feet.

   Note: The common European mole, or moldwarp ( Talpa Europ[ae]a), is noted for its extensive burrows. The common American mole, or shrew mole ( Scalops aquaticus), and star-nosed mole ( Condylura cristata) have similar habits.

   Note: In the Scriptures, the name is applied to two unindentified animals, perhaps the chameleon and mole rat.

2. A plow of peculiar construction, for forming underground drains. [U.S.]

3. (fig.)A spy who lives for years an apparently normal life (to establish a cover) before beginning his spying activities.

   Duck mole. See under Duck.

   Golden mole. See Chrysochlore.

   Mole cricket (Zo["o]l.), an orthopterous insect of the genus Gryllotalpa, which excavates subterranean galleries, and throws up mounds of earth resembling those of the mole. It is said to do damage by injuring the roots of plants. The common European species ( Gryllotalpa vulgaris), and the American ( Gryllotalpa borealis), are the best known.

   Mole rat (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of Old World rodents of the genera Spalax, Georychus, and several allied genera. They are molelike in appearance and habits, and their eyes are small or rudimentary.

   Mole shrew (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of short-tailed American shrews of the genus Blarina, esp. Blarina brevicauda.

   Water mole, the duck mole.