# European Mole (*Talpa europaea*) The European Mole is a small, furry animal that lives underground. It has tiny eyes and powerful front paws for digging tunnels in the soil. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Moles like to live in gardens, fields, and forests where the soil is soft. ![European Mole](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424718/objects/4486.jpg) ## Appearance The European Mole is a small, cylindrical mammal with short, dense, dark grey to black velvety fur. It has tiny, hidden eyes and ears, and large, shovel-like front paws perfectly adapted for digging, which are pinkish and hairless. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Soricomorpha - **Family:** Talpidae - **Genus:** Talpa ## Interesting facts - A mole can dig a brand new tunnel up to 20 meters long in just one day! - Moles are active all year round; they don't hibernate during the cold winter months. - Their blood has extra hemoglobin to help them breathe in low-oxygen tunnels. - They store live, paralyzed earthworms in special underground 'larders' for later meals! ## Special abilities - **Earth Shovel Hands:** European Moles have powerful, outward-facing front paws with strong claws that helps them dig tunnels at incredible speeds. - **Velvet Coat:** European Moles have fur that lies flat in any direction that helps them move smoothly through narrow tunnels. - **Super Sniffer:** European Moles can smell their prey deep underground because of their sensitive nose, helping them find food in the dark. - **Tunnel Sense:** European Moles can detect vibrations in the soil that helps them sense prey moving through the ground. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.07-0.13 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-6 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-7 - **Gestation:** 28-30 days ## Diet & Feeding A mole loves to munch on juicy earthworms and other creepy crawlies found deep underground! - **Primary Foods:** earthworms, insect larvae, grubs, slugs, snails, centipedes - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Main food, often stored alive in 'larders'. - **Eaten by:** [Common Buzzard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-buzzard) (*Buteo buteo*) — Preys on moles when they venture above ground. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Hunts moles, especially young ones, near the surface. - **Shelter:** Wood Mouse (*Apodemus sylvaticus*) — Sometimes uses abandoned mole tunnels for shelter. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [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. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Moles are not dangerous to people. It's best to watch them from a distance and let them dig in peace! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European 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 European Mole? 12-20 cm ### How much does European Mole weigh? 0.07-0.13 kg ### How long does European Mole live? 3-6 years ### How fast can European Mole move? 2 km/h ### What does European Mole eat? A mole loves to munch on juicy earthworms and other creepy crawlies found deep underground! ### Where is European Mole usually found? Moles like to live in gardens, fields, and forests where the soil is soft. ### How does European Mole hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Zoologická zahrada Děčín - Pastýřská stěna](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoologick-zahrada-d-n-past-sk-st-na) — Ústí nad Labem Region, CZ · Zoo - [Zoo am Meer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-am-meer) — Bremen, DE · Zoo ## 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*) --- Source: [European Mole: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-mole)