The word that scientists use to describe a unit of measure that is also the name of an animal is "mole." In chemistry, a mole is a unit of measurement used to express amounts of a chemical substance, while in zoology, a mole is a small, burrowing mammal with dark velvety fur and small eyes and ears. Despite the difference in meaning, both uses of the word "mole" are derived from the same root word, which comes from the German word "Mol," meaning "mole" or "spot."