# Broad-footed Mole (*Scapanus latimanus*)

The Broad-footed Mole is a small, furry animal that loves to dig tunnels underground. With its broad feet, it can move quickly through the soil, making it a master of the underground world!

- **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![Broad-footed Mole](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Scapanus_latimanus.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Sarah Murray, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scapanus_latimanus.jpg)

## Appearance

The Broad-footed Mole has a stocky, cylindrical body covered in velvety, dark brownish-black fur that can lie flat in any direction. It possesses large, shovel-like front feet with powerful claws for digging, and a short, sparsely haired tail. Its tiny eyes are often hidden.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Soricomorpha
- **Family:** Talpidae
- **Genus:** Scapanus

## Interesting facts

- A broad-footed mole can eat half its body weight in food every single day!
- Moles build complex tunnel networks with special resting and eating rooms!
- Moles don't hibernate; they stay active underground all year long!
- Their front paws are wider than their body, like built-in shovels!

## Special abilities

- **Super Digger:** Broad-footed Mole can tunnel rapidly because of its huge, paddle-like front paws and strong claws.
- **Reversible Fur:** Broad-footed Mole has unique velvety fur that can lie flat in any direction, helping it move smoothly in tunnels.
- **Vibration Sensor:** Broad-footed Mole can detect tiny ground vibrations, which helps it locate prey and navigate its dark tunnels.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 11-16 cm
- **Weight:** 0.06-0.11 kg
- **Lifespan:** 4-6 years
- **Speed:** 1.5 km/h
- **Litter Size:** 2-5
- **Gestation:** 30 days

## Diet & Feeding

This mole loves to munch on juicy earthworms and insect larvae it finds underground!

- **Primary Foods:** Earthworms, Grubs, Insect larvae, Snails, Slugs
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — A primary food source
- **Eaten by:** [Barn Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — Hunts moles at tunnel exits
- **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Digs up moles from tunnels
- **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — Preys on moles underground

## Traits

- [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.

## Collections

- [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Moles are shy and prefer to stay underground. It's best to watch them from a distance.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Broad-footed Mole?

Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Broad-footed Mole?

11-16 cm

### How much does Broad-footed Mole weigh?

0.06-0.11 kg

### How long does Broad-footed Mole live?

4-6 years

### How fast can Broad-footed Mole move?

1.5 km/h

### What does Broad-footed Mole eat?

This mole loves to munch on juicy earthworms and insect larvae it finds underground!

### Where is Broad-footed Mole usually found?

Grasslands

### How does Broad-footed Mole hunt?

Foraging

## More Mammals

- [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*)
- [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*)
- [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*)
- [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*)

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Source: [Broad-footed Mole: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/broad-footed-mole)