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Mole

Talpa europaea

Not yet photographed by the community

Lives underground; velvety black fur; detects earthworms by touch.

Species Profile

Not listed; common and widespread. Least Concern.

Lifespan: 3–6 years in the wild, occasionally up to 9 years in captivity
Size & Weight: 13–16 cm body length; 60–120 g
Habitat: Well-drained soils in woodlands, grasslands, gardens, and agricultural areas where earthworms are abundant.
UK Distribution: Found throughout England, Wales, and southern Scotland; absent from Ireland and northern Scottish highlands. Resident year-round.
Diet: Primarily earthworms, supplemented with insect larvae, pupae, and small invertebrates such as grubs and millipedes.
Prey: Earthworms (Lumbricus species), wireworms, leatherjackets, beetle larvae, centipedes
Predators: Tawny owls, buzzards, stoats, weasels, and domestic cats; young moles also taken by badgers and foxes.
Mating Season: February to April
Breeding: Single annual litter of 3–4 young (occasionally 2–7) born March to May after 4-week gestation; young weaned at 4–5 weeks; one brood per year.
Behaviour: Solitary and highly territorial, spending most time underground in elaborate burrow systems. Active day and night, with peak foraging periods every few hours. Males are particularly aggressive during the breeding season and may travel above ground seeking mates.

Did You Know?

•Moles can dig at remarkable speeds—up to 15 metres of tunnel per day—using powerful spade-like forelimbs with enlarged claws.
•Their cylindrical body shape, velvety fur, and small eyes are perfectly adapted for an underground lifestyle; fur lies flat in any direction, aiding movement through tunnels.
•A single mole can consume up to 50% of its body weight daily in earthworms.
•Moles produce distinctive molehills—piles of excavated soil—which are often seen in lawns and fields and can damage grass.
•They have an unusual sensory system, including a star-shaped, highly sensitive nose organ (Eimer's organ) that helps detect vibrations and prey underground.

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