coast mole; Pacific mole
Refers specifically to Scapanus orarius, a mole species found along the Pacific coast of North America. Used in zoological contexts.
The coast mole inhabits the Pacific coast of North America.
I looked up the ecology of the coast mole in an illustrated reference book.
Katakana spelling is standard for this species name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare and mainly found in older or specialized texts; the katakana form is strongly preferred.
Compound of 姫 (hime, 'princess; small') + 西部 (seibu, 'western part') + 土竜 (mogura, 'mole'), literally 'small western mole'. The exact derivation is uncertain; the name likely reflects its smaller size and western North American habitat.