Eastern Mole
(Scalopus aquaticus)
Description & Range:
The eastern mole measures 6-7 inches in length. They have dense, silky fur that is silver, black, or brown. They have large, wide front paws that are webbed with large claws, used for digging. They also have a long, pointed snout and small eyes that are covered by a layer of skin.
The eastern mole’s range extends across the central and eastern United States. The western edge includes east Texas northward to Nebraska, with their northern limits stopping at Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. On the east coast, they can be found as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as Florida, though they are absent in western Pennsylvania and western West Virginia.
Habitat:
Eastern moles prefer grassy fields, meadows, pastures, lawns, and forest floors. They dig burrows with branching tunnels, which requires well-drained, soft, moist soils. They avoid wet areas, and soils with a lot of clay or rocks.
Diet:
Eastern moles feed on several types of insects and insect larvae. They primarily eat ants, earthworms, centipedes, and beetle larvae. They will occasionally eat other foods besides insects, such as potatoes, corn, and tomatoes. They have a large appetite, and will consume 25-100% of their body weight in food each day.
Reproduction:
Eastern moles mate in March or April and produce 1 litter per year, with 2-5 young per litter. They emit chemicals from scent glands on their bellies during mating season. Males will mate with many females, and females will choose to mate with larger males, often sparking competition among males during this time.
Sounds:
Eastern moles will make high-pitched squeals when frightened and short snorts when exploring their surroundings.
Behavior:
Eastern moles are very active throughout the day and night and can spend almost 24 hours foraging for food. Since they are nearly blind and do not have external ears, they rely on their sense of smell and touch using their snouts. They will hit their prey against the walls of their burrows, or will bury them under piles of dirt.
Eastern moles dig two types of tunnels. They use temporary, shallow surface runs to search for food, and deeper, permanent passages for living quarters, nesting, and raising young.
Sources:
Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America, Fourth Edition
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Scalopus_aquaticus/
https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/information/eastern-mole/
