The family Notoryctidae consists of the marsupial moles, a small group of highly specialized, burrowing marsupials native to the arid regions of Australia. These animals are adapted to a subterranean lifestyle, with cylindrical bodies, powerful forelimbs with spade-like claws, reduced eyes covered by skin, and no external ears, enabling them to "swim" through loose sand. Notoryctids are insectivorous, feeding mainly on ants and termites, and they have a low metabolic rate suited to the harsh desert environment. They exhibit marsupial reproductive traits, including a pouch, though it is oriented backward to prevent sand from entering while digging. Due to their secretive, underground habits, members of Notoryctidae are rarely seen and remain among the least-studied Australian mammals.