a molelike, aquatic insectivore mammal (family Talpidae) with webbed feet and a long, flexible snout: one species (Desmana moschata), trapped for its fur, is found in Russia and the other (Galemys pyrenaicus) in the Pyrenees
See desman in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(dĕsˈmən)
nounpl.des·mans
Either of two aquatic, insectivorous, molelike mammals, Desmana moschata of eastern Europe and western Asia or Galemys pyrenaicus of southwest Europe, having dense brownish fur, a long snout, and a flattened scaly tail.