Russian desman

The Russian desman is a small water-loving mammal with a long snout, found in river basins of western Russia. It builds cozy burrows along slow-moving streams and weedy ponds where insects and crayfish are plentiful. These whiskered swimmers live in small, chatty groups that seem to have their own social rules.

• Digs burrows into muddy riverbanks near quiet ponds.
• Eats a mix of insects, crayfish, and small amphibians.
• Forms small social groups of 2-5 unrelated individuals.