# Hairy-tailed Mole (*Parascalops breweri*) The Hairy-tailed Mole is a small, furry creature that loves to dig in the ground. With its soft fur and tiny eyes, it spends most of its time underground, making tunnels and searching for food. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Hairy-tailed Mole](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/The_quadrupeds_of_North_America_%28Plate_LXXIV%29_%287748318398%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Audubon, John James; Audubon, John Woodhouse; Bachman, John, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_quadrupeds_of_North_America_%28Plate_LXXIV%29_%287748318398%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Hairy-tailed Mole is a small mammal with a cylindrical body and very soft, dense dark gray to black fur. It has a short, thick tail notably covered in stiff hairs. Its front paws are large and shovel-like, while its tiny eyes and ears are hidden beneath its fur. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Soricomorpha - **Family:** Talpidae - **Genus:** Parascalops ## Interesting facts - Their amazing tunnels help aerate the soil, which is great for plants and farms! - They spend almost their entire lives underground, rarely seen above the surface! - This mole can eat its own weight in worms and insects every single day! - Wow! Hairy-tailed Moles have an extra thumb bone that makes their digging claws even bigger! ## Special abilities - **Tunnel Architect:** Hairy-tailed Moles can create extensive networks of underground tunnels because of their powerful forelimbs, which helps them find food and shelter. - **Vibration Detector:** Hairy-tailed Moles have a super sensitive snout that helps them detect ground vibrations, allowing them to locate worms and insects underground. - **Oxygen Wizard:** Hairy-tailed Moles have special blood that helps them breathe easier in low-oxygen tunnels because of unique hemoglobin adaptations. - **Burrow Blocker:** The Hairy-tailed Mole has a tough, bristly tail that helps them push loose soil behind them, keeping their tunnels clear. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 11-13 cm - **Weight:** 0.035-0.065 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-7 - **Gestation:** 28-30 days ## Diet & Feeding These small moles primarily feast on yummy insects, worms, and other tiny creatures they find underground. - **Primary Foods:** earthworms, insect_larvae, grubs, beetles, slugs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — An opportunistic predator of small mammals, including moles. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Known to dig for prey like moles and voles. - **Hunts:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — A primary food source, hunted using acute senses. ## 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. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [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 If you see a mole, watch it from a distance and don't try to touch it. They are shy and prefer to stay underground. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hairy-tailed 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 Hairy-tailed Mole? 11-13 cm ### How much does Hairy-tailed Mole weigh? 0.035-0.065 kg ### How long does Hairy-tailed Mole live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Hairy-tailed Mole move? 2 km/h ### What does Hairy-tailed Mole eat? These small moles primarily feast on yummy insects, worms, and other tiny creatures they find underground. ### Where is Hairy-tailed Mole usually found? Grasslands ### How does Hairy-tailed Mole hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Clear Creek State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clear-creek-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest ## 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: [Hairy-tailed Mole: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hairy-tailed-mole)