Elusive, aquatic and wonderfully odd, the Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) is one of Europe’s most mysterious mammals.
Found only in the fast-flowing mountain streams of the Iberian Peninsula and southern France, this small insectivore leads a secretive, nocturnal life. With a flexible trunk-like snout, webbed feet and waterproof fur, it’s perfectly adapted to life underwater.
Rarely seen in the wild, its presence is often only known through camera traps and environmental DNA.
As human activity threatens its fragile habitat, conservationists are racing to better understand and protect this unusual species.
What is a Pyrenean desman?
The Pyrenean desman has a distinctive, almost comical look. Measuring around 11–16cm long, with a flattened tail of similar length, it has soft, velvety waterproof fur and large, webbed hind feet.
Its most striking feature is the long, highly flexible snout (reminiscent of an elephant's trunk), which it uses to search for prey underwater. Its small eyes and ears are further adaptations to a mostly aquatic lifestyle, with vision playing a minor role in its world.
Where does the Pyrenean desman live?
This species is highly specialised and restricted to clean, fast-flowing streams and rivers in mountainous regions. It requires clear, well-oxygenated water with abundant invertebrate life.
The desman builds burrows into steep, muddy riverbanks, with entrances just below the water’s surface. It avoids still water and is highly sensitive to pollution, damming and habitat disruption.
Range and distribution of the Pyrenean desman
The Pyrenean desman is endemic to parts of northern Spain, Portugal and small areas of south-western France. Its distribution is patchy, and populations are fragmented.
It prefers elevations between 400 and 2,500 metres, often within remote and rugged landscapes where human access is limited — which offers it some protection.
Pyrenean desman behaviour
Largely nocturnal and solitary, the Pyrenean desman is an expert swimmer. It uses its webbed feet and powerful tail to move through water in search of food.
It’s a stealthy forager, relying on its sensitive snout and whiskers to detect vibrations from prey hiding in gravel and silt.
It spends most of its time either foraging or hidden in its burrow, and very little is still known about its reproductive or social habits.
What does the Pyrenean desman eat?
The desman’s diet consists mainly of aquatic invertebrates, including insect larvae, worms, molluscs and small crustaceans. Occasionally, it will take tadpoles or small fish.
It forages by feeling along the stream bed, using its snout like a probe to detect and extract prey.
Conservation status
The Pyrenean desman is currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Threats include water pollution, habitat fragmentation, hydroelectric dams and climate change, which affects water levels and stream quality.
Conservation efforts focus on habitat restoration, water quality improvement, and better understanding population dynamics through monitoring.
What's that smell?
Desmans release a strong musky scent from glands near their tail. It’s used for marking territory, attracting mates, and (strangely) was once harvested for perfume.
How many species of desman are there?
There are two species of desman: the Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) and the Russian desman (Desmana moschata).
The Russian desman is larger, found in Eastern Europe and Russia, and prefers lowland rivers and lakes.
A living fossil
The Pyrenean desman is a living fossil, having remained relatively unchanged for millions of years. Its odd mix of features — mole, shrew and otter — dates back to prehistoric times.
Did you know?
- The desman can stay underwater for over two minutes while hunting.
- Its tail not only helps with swimming but also stores fat for lean times.
- Despite its small size, it has a large home range and actively defends it.
Main image: Pyrenean desman. Credit: Getty
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