Moles
True moles may be distinguished from meadow
mice (voles), shrews, or pocket gophers—with
which they are often confused—by noting certain
characteristics. They have a hairless, pointed
snout extending nearly 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in front
of the mouth opening. The small eyes and the
opening of the ear canal are concealed in the fur;
there are no external ears. The
forefeet are very large and broad, with palms
wider than they are long. The toes are webbed to
the base of the claws, which are broad and
depressed. The hind feet are small and narrow,
with slender, sharp claws.
The mole lives in the seclusion of underground
burrows, coming to the surface only rarely, and
then often by
accident. Researchers believe that the mole is a
loner. On several occasions two or even three
moles have been trapped at the same spot, but
that does not necessarily mean they had been
living together in a particular burrow. Networks
of runways made independently occasionally join
otherwise separate burrows.
Moles make their home burrows in high, dry
spots, but they prefer to hunt in soil that is
shaded, cool, moist, and populated by worms and
grubs. This preference accounts for the mole’s
attraction to lawns and parks. In neglected
orchards and natural woodlands, moles work
undisturbed. The ground can be infiltrated with
runways. Moles commonly make their denning
areas under portions of large trees, buildings, or
sidewalks.
mice (voles), shrews, or pocket gophers—with
which they are often confused—by noting certain
characteristics. They have a hairless, pointed
snout extending nearly 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in front
of the mouth opening. The small eyes and the
opening of the ear canal are concealed in the fur;
there are no external ears. The
forefeet are very large and broad, with palms
wider than they are long. The toes are webbed to
the base of the claws, which are broad and
depressed. The hind feet are small and narrow,
with slender, sharp claws.
The mole lives in the seclusion of underground
burrows, coming to the surface only rarely, and
then often by
accident. Researchers believe that the mole is a
loner. On several occasions two or even three
moles have been trapped at the same spot, but
that does not necessarily mean they had been
living together in a particular burrow. Networks
of runways made independently occasionally join
otherwise separate burrows.
Moles make their home burrows in high, dry
spots, but they prefer to hunt in soil that is
shaded, cool, moist, and populated by worms and
grubs. This preference accounts for the mole’s
attraction to lawns and parks. In neglected
orchards and natural woodlands, moles work
undisturbed. The ground can be infiltrated with
runways. Moles commonly make their denning
areas under portions of large trees, buildings, or
sidewalks.
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| Hello there! |
| Three in the bag. |
| One by the drive way. |