Posted by Major Gilbert on November 14, 2007 at 3:46 PM
Posted this more to let others see as i guess there aren,t too many people who have seen one.
I was fortunate enough to stumble across this little fellow at the edge of a stoney beach in Lesvos. Most of them are stoney by the way and this was no exception.
It looked as though it had been foraging near to the tideline as it was wet and bedragled. I should have been aware of what it was and I wished I had got down to its level but in stead kept a safe distance as I wasnt to know that it might bite. It rumaged about and forced its way under the volcanic type sand and pebbles with great force.
Nikon D2X,s 17-55mm 2.8
ISO:160
1/400 @ f7.1.
I know the head is slightly off.
Major.
Posted by Alan Bryant on November 14, 2007 at 3:50 PM
Yes thats a new one on me.
Posted by Craig Nash on November 14, 2007 at 4:22 PM
And me!!
Posted by Stuart McCrae on November 14, 2007 at 4:29 PM
very strange
Posted by John Varley on November 14, 2007 at 4:34 PM
Very strange Major - nice pic. Never heard of such a creature.
Posted by Major Gilbert on November 14, 2007 at 4:57 PM
They are totally blind, and spend most of their time underground, very seldom are the seen on the surface.
Major
Posted by Marko Trebušak on November 15, 2007 at 1:16 AM
I don't mind top down view Major. OK a bit more of into your face could work too, but there is nothing wrong with this one. You certainly "arrange" it among some interesting stones.
Cheers,
Marko
Posted by Andy Astbury on November 15, 2007 at 3:20 AM
What an amazing looking 'beastie' Major - get back there and work your magic
Posted by Dave Sewell on November 15, 2007 at 3:55 AM
Amazing creature. I thought you only got these in Africa so I've learned something today!
Posted by Alan Woolnough on November 15, 2007 at 6:08 AM
Crikey, it is a wierd looking thing Major, and well camoflaged in this habitat!!
I don't blame you for keeping your distance
Alan
Posted by Mark Fellowes on November 15, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Now that is an interesting shot. I think that this is probably the lesser mole rat Spalax leucodon, which is found in that part of the world. I don't know much about this group, but they're interesting in that unlike our moles, they use their teeth for digging tunnels, instead of their fore-limbs. You were probably right to keep away
Mark
Posted by John Wannop on November 15, 2007 at 12:57 PM
Never seen one of them before, thanks for showing it to us.
Discussion
11 repliesI was fortunate enough to stumble across this little fellow at the edge of a stoney beach in Lesvos. Most of them are stoney by the way and this was no exception.
It looked as though it had been foraging near to the tideline as it was wet and bedragled. I should have been aware of what it was and I wished I had got down to its level but in stead kept a safe distance as I wasnt to know that it might bite. It rumaged about and forced its way under the volcanic type sand and pebbles with great force.
Nikon D2X,s 17-55mm 2.8
ISO:160
1/400 @ f7.1.
I know the head is slightly off.
Major.
Major
Cheers,
Marko
I don't blame you for keeping your distance
Alan
Mark
John