Eastern Mole
ExploreMammals
Eastern Mole
Scalopus aquaticus
The Eastern Mole is a small, furry animal that lives underground. It has big front paws that help it dig tunnels in the soil to find food like worms and insects.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Eastern Mole is a small mammal with a sleek, velvety dark grayish-brown fur coat that can appear almost black. It has large, paddle-like front feet with powerful claws for digging, setting it apart from rodents. Its tiny eyes and ears are hidden beneath its fur, making it look eyeless.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderSoricomorphaFamilyTalpidaeGenusScalopus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Eastern Moles actually have an extra 'thumb' bone on each front paw for better digging power!
Moles can eat incredibly fast, consuming small prey in mere seconds with their sharp teeth!
Their blood has special hemoglobin that helps them breathe in low-oxygen tunnels!
They create intricate underground tunnel systems that can stretch for hundreds of feet!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Digger
Eastern Mole can rapidly tunnel through soil because of its strong, shovel-like front paws, helping it find food and shelter.
Ability
Dirt Diver
Eastern Mole has backward-facing fur that allows it to move smoothly both forwards and backwards in tight tunnels.
Ability
Sense Seeker
Eastern Mole can expertly locate prey underground using its highly sensitive nose and whiskers, detecting vibrations.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 15-20 cm
- Weight
- 0.08-0.14 kg
- Lifespan
- 3-6 years
- Top Speed
- 3 km/h
- Litter Size
- 2-5
- Gestation
- 30-45 days
Diet & Feeding
These tiny tunnelers mostly eat creepy crawlies found underground.
Primary Foods
- earthworms
- grubs
- insect larvae
- beetles
- snails
- slugs
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Coyote
Canis latrans
Opportunistic predator in open areas.
eaten by
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Hunts moles when they surface.
eaten by
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
May prey on moles found above ground.
eaten by
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
Digs up and consumes moles.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Moles are shy and prefer to stay underground, so it's best to watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Eastern Mole?
15-20 cm
How much does Eastern Mole weigh?
0.08-0.14 kg
How long does Eastern Mole live?
3-6 years
How fast can Eastern Mole move?
3 km/h
What does Eastern Mole eat?
These tiny tunnelers mostly eat creepy crawlies found underground.
Where is Eastern Mole usually found?
Grasslands
How does Eastern Mole hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Eastern Mole usually have?
2-5
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