THE REPRODUCTION FEATURES OF CAUCASIAN MOLE TALPA CAUCASICA SATUNIN, 1908 IN THE NORTH CAUCASUS
In reproduction of Caucasian mole there is no the phenomenon of latent period in the development of fertilized eggs, as for the Siberian mole. Moles’ rut lasts from February to May inclusive. Active growth of the embryo lasts about one month. The birth of young is at the end of March - beginning of May. Nesting period lasts about one month. In the litter, the number of young varies from 2 to 5, on average 3,5 per a pregnant female. The absence of diapause in Talpa Caucasica Satunin, 1909 unlike Asioscalops altaica Nikolsky, 1883 we consider as a specific option, formed in the process and adaptation to the more mild climate of the Caucasus compared with Siberia. Talpa Caucasica Satunin, 1908 is one of the important sections researching the biology of this species. Knowing the periods of mating, pregnancy, lactation, babies’ birth and their number for one litter, as well as the intensity of the growth and development of young, professionals can (correctly) organize the trade of this species. Reproduction of the Caucasian mole, as European one is stretched, but unlike the Northern regions, in the Caucasus, it begins much earlier. Great number of profitable females and males gain sexual maturity in the year of birth, soon after they begin their independent life but they don’t take part in the rut at the year of birth thus maturing at the age 1 year. Overwintered and given birth females bring litter earlier in late winter.