Mole
Mole Facts
| Size | 4.7-6 inches (12-16 cm) |
| Speed | Up to 2.4 mph (4 km/h) |
| Weight | 2.4-4.5 ounces (70-130 grams) |
| Lifespan | 3-6 years |
| Food | Earthworms, insects, larvae |
| Predators | Cats, owls, foxes |
| Habitat | Central and Eastern Europe |
| Order | Eulipotyphla |
| Family | Talpidae |
| Scientific name | Talpidae |
| Characteristics | Small mammal, lives underground; shovel-like hands |
Main Characteristics
Moles are small mammals that spend the majority of their lives underground. They dig tunnels with their shovel-like hands and push the soil up to the surface, creating the well-known molehills. In this profile, we will focus primarily on the European mole.
Species
There are nearly 60 species of moles. In Germany, the European mole is the most common. Most species live underground, but some can be found above ground.
Distribution and Habitat
Moles are found only in the Northern Hemisphere. They can be seen throughout Europe and Asia. In North America, they range from the southern parts of Canada down to northern Mexico. Most species live underground, such as the European mole. They favor moist soil with a rich layer of humus.
Way of Life
Moles don't have a set daily routine. They are active for about 4-5 hours at a time before taking a nap. These creatures are solitary and aren't known for being particularly social. In fact, they usually tend to be aggressive towards their fellow moles. The only exception is during mating season when they encounter a female. However, the interaction between males and females isn't very romantic. They only stay together for a few hours before parting ways.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Moles typically measure around 4.7-6 inches (12-16 cm) in body length, with their tails ranging from 1.1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm). They usually weigh between 2.4-4.5 ounces (70-130 grams), and males tend to be slightly larger than females.
Physique
Moles have a cylindrical body, shovel-like hands, a velvety dark gray coat, and small, nearly invisible eyes. Their ears aren't visible.
Hands
Moles have large, strong hands with five fingers and long claws. They use these to dig.
Fur
Moles have short, soft fur. It is quite unique compared to many other mammals because their hairs don’t grow in a specific direction. This allows them to move freely in any direction, making it easier for the animals to navigate through their tight tunnels.
Adaptations to the Habitat
Moles are perfectly adapted to life underground. Here are some of their key features that help them thrive in this environment:
- Strong shovel-like hands - for digging
- Small eyes - as they don’t rely on vision
- Hairs that don't grow in a specific direction - making it easier to move through tight tunnels
- A long, slender body - aids in navigating narrow spaces
- No external ears - also helps in tunnel movement
- Blood that can carry more oxygen - essential for the lower oxygen levels found underground.
Mole or Vole – What’s the Difference?
Moles and voles are both small mammals with dark fur. Is there a trick to tell them apart? Absolutely! The most noticeable difference is that voles have small paws instead of shovel-like hands. Additionally, their eyes are much larger and the have external ears. Since moles spend most of their time underground, the chances of spotting one are quite low. So, if you come across a small mammal with dark fur, it’s more likely to be a vole, a mouse, or a rat.
Diet
Moles are carnivorous. They love earthworms. They make up the most of their diet. They also have a taste for insects such as beetles, mosquitoes, flies, and moths, particularly their larvae. Sometimes, they even eat centipedes and other soft-bodied creatures. Moles can only survive for about 24 hours without food, so if they have any leftover earthworms after a meal, they store them alive in their pantry for later.
Tunnel System
Size, Length and Depth
Moles dig extensive tunnels. They are about 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) wide. The whole tunnel system can stretch up to 230 feet (70 meters) long and are found as deep as 27 inches (70 cm) underground.
Chambers
The tunnels lead to various chambers: there is a sleeping chamber, a nesting chamber, and a storage chamber. They are located quite deep underground.
Worm Traps
Most tunnels are simply "worm traps." They are located just a few inches below the surface, where most of their prey can be found.
Speedy Diggers
Moles are incredibly fast diggers. They can create a tunnel that is 15 feet (4.5 meters) long in about an hour. If needed, they can establish an entirely new tunnel network within just a few hours.
Behavior
What Do Moles Do in Winter?
Moles don't hibernate during the winter. Their tunnels are deep enough to remain frost-free, even in freezing temperatures. Before the cold sets in, they gather a food supply, storing up to 790 earthworms in their pantry, which can weigh as much as 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg)
Senses and Abilities
Sense of Sight
Moles aren't blind, but their eyesight is quite limited. Their tiny button-like eyes can only detect differences between light and dark. This is perfectly adequate for their underground lifestyle.
Sense of Hearing
Moles don't rely on their ears for hearing; instead, they use their sensitive hairs. They use them to sense the slightest vibrations, movements, and even changes in air pressure. This keeps them well-informed and ready to pounce when a worm falls into one of their traps.
Sense of Smell and Touch
Moles possess an exceptional sense of smell and touch. Their keen noses help them sniff out prey, while the tactile hairs on their snouts allow them to detect nearby insects.
Locomotion
Speed
Moles are surprisingly quick. They can travel at a speed of 2.4 mph (4 km/h), which is about as fast as a person walking down the street.
Agility
Moles perform somersaults underground whenever they want to turn around in a tunnel.
Life Expectancy
Moles typically live for around three years, but they can reach a maximum age of six years.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
Moles face numerous threats both above and below ground. They venture out of their tunnels to search for nesting materials. Once above ground, they are quickly spotted and hunted by owls, foxes, weasels, hawks, and crows. Below the surface, they can fall victim to flooding and severe soil frost.
Protected Species
In Germany, moles are a protected species. It is illegal to trap, harm, or kill them with poison, and doing so can result in fines of up to 51,900 dollars (50,000 euros).
How to Drive Away Moles
Moles are adorable creatures - until they decide to make your garden their home. This is when many people want to get rid of them. Why? Their digging can harm the roots of young plants. However, most people are more bothered by the "unpleasant sight" of their mounds. There are countless tricks and remedies claimed to help in dealing with them. Yet, moles are beneficial and play a crucial role in a healthy ecosystem. Are the mounds really that bothersome? Is it truly a disaster if a few plants die? What are your thoughts on this?
Blocking Tunnel Entrances
There are many home remedies suggested for scaring away moles, such as eggshells, mothballs, and holly leaves. These items are placed in the molehills, but at best, they only block a few exits. Moles just create new mounds, resulting in even more hills than before. Conclusion: not effective.
Home Remedies
Home remedies aim to irritate the sensitive sense of smell of moles. This includes lavender oil, vinegar-soaked rags, milk, nettle tea, garlic solution, the urine of cats or dogs, or an empty bottle that previously contained alcohol, which is then inverted into a tunnel entrance. Some even suggest smoking out the tunnels. Conclusion: rarely effective.
Chemicals
Moles can also be controlled using chemical methods, although fortunately, most of these are prohibited.
Ultrasound and Plastic Bottles
While moles don’t have great hearing, they are highly sensitive to vibrations through their whiskers. They can detect even the slightest air movement and sound waves. This is why ultrasonic devices are used to drive them away. A more affordable option is to use a plastic bottle with its bottom cut off, placed upside down in the ground. The wind passing through it is supposed to create unpleasant noises. In conclusion, this method is rarely effective.
Importance to the Ecosystem
Moles are beneficial creatures and play a crucial role in nature. They improve soil health by burrowing and aerating it, which enhances its fertility and supports plant diversity. This increase in plant life leads to a rise in insect populations, providing food for birds. Moles are an essential part of the ecosystem.
Reproduction
Moles live underground and rarely breed in captivity, so not much is known about their reproduction. They typically mate between late February and early March. The gestation period lasts about four weeks, resulting in the birth of 3-5 young. At first, the babies are hairless and blind. Their eyes open after 22 days, they leave the nest after 33 days, and by six weeks, they are independent enough to find their own territory.
Fun Facts
Start-Nosed Mole
There are moles that live above the ground or even live partially in water, like the star-nosed mole. Ist has a unique appearance, featuring 22 finger-like sensory organs on its snout.
The Mole Is Related To:
Animals in the Same Biome:
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