The family Talpidae is a group of small to medium-sized mammals commonly known as moles, desmans, and shrew moles. Members of this family are primarily adapted for a subterranean lifestyle, exhibiting specialized traits such as powerful, spade-like forelimbs for digging, reduced eyesight, and a keen sense of touch and smell. Talpids are insectivorous, feeding mainly on invertebrates like earthworms, insects, and larvae, though some species may consume small vertebrates or plant matter. They are distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia, inhabiting a variety of ecosystems including forests, grasslands, wetlands, and subterranean tunnels. Many species are fossorial, spending most of their lives underground, while a few, like the desmans, are semi-aquatic. Talpids play important ecological roles by aerating soil, controlling insect populations, and contributing to nutrient cycling.