Parques de Portugal

<p> <em>Galemys pyrenaicus</em> (E Geoffroy, 1811)</p>

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  • Pyrenean desman

  • Galemys pyrenaicus (E Geoffroy, 1811)

  • Talpidae

  • The Pyrenean Desman is an emblematic mammal of mountain watercourses. Well adapted to aquatic life, has elongated body, hind limbs and tail long and flattened and snout-shaped trunk, useful in food collection. The color is dark brown on the dorsal side and whitish on the ventral surface. The body can measure 12 cm in length and 13.6 cm tail and weigh 70 g.

  • Peneda-Gerês National Park

    Montesinho Nature Park

    Alvão Nature Park

    Serra da Estrela Nature Park

    Corno de Bico Protected Landscape

  • Norte

    Centro

  • Vulnerable

  • Iberian Peninsula and Pyrenees

  • The Pyrenean desman is an emblematic mammal of Portugal clean mountain water courses. Well adapted to the aquatic life it exhibits an elongated body, long and flat posterior limbs and tail, and a trunk shaped snout, useful while capturing food. Its colouration is dark brown on its back and white on its belly. It's body can measure up to 12 cm long with a 13.6 cm tail and it can weigh 70 g.

  • All year long

  • The Pyrenean desman feeds on aquatic macro invertebrates, which it captures on the riverbed and on the margins of the water courses.

  • The Portuguese population of this species is estimated to be smaller than 10 thousand individuals.