# Western Moles (*Scapanus*) Western moles are small, furry animals that dig tunnels underground. They have big front paws that help them move quickly through the soil, making them great at finding food like worms and insects. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Western Moles](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 Western Mole has a stocky, cylindrical body covered in soft, velvety dark gray to brownish-black fur. It possesses large, paddle-like front feet with strong claws, perfectly adapted for digging. Its eyes are tiny and almost hidden, with no visible external ears, and a short, thick, nearly naked tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Soricomorpha - **Family:** Talpidae - **Genus:** Scapanus ## Interesting facts - A Western Mole can tunnel up to 5 meters (16 feet) in one hour! - Moles are excellent swimmers and can cross small streams. - Their fur is so fine it doesn't get dirty even when covered in mud. - They create intricate tunnel networks that can stretch for acres. ## Special abilities - **Super Shovel Paws:** Western Moles have huge, spade-like forepaws because of powerful muscles that help them dig tunnels faster than you can imagine. - **Dirt-Proof Fur:** Western Moles has unique fur that can lay flat in any direction, allowing them to move forward or backward through tight tunnels without getting stuck. - **Nose Navigator:** Western Moles can 'see' with their nose using special Eimer's organs that help them detect tiny vibrations and food underground. - **Oxygen Master:** Western Moles has special blood adaptations that help them breathe easily in low-oxygen tunnels deep underground. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-22 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.25 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-6 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-5 - **Gestation:** 30-45 days ## Diet & Feeding Western Moles are amazing underground hunters, mainly eating earthworms and other creepy crawlies. - **Primary Foods:** earthworms, beetle larvae, grubs, slugs, crickets - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Main food source found by tunneling - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Hunts moles when they surface - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Digs up moles from their tunnels - **Eaten by:** [Long-tailed Weasel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/long-tailed-weasel) (*Mustela frenata*) — Can enter mole tunnels to hunt ## 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 Moles are shy and prefer to stay underground, so it's best to leave them alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Moles? 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 Western Moles? 12-22 cm ### How much does Western Moles weigh? 0.05-0.25 kg ### How long does Western Moles live? 3-6 years ### How fast can Western Moles move? 2 km/h ### What does Western Moles eat? Western Moles are amazing underground hunters, mainly eating earthworms and other creepy crawlies. ### Where is Western Moles usually found? Grasslands ### How does Western Moles hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Bogachiel State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bogachiel-state-park) — Washington, US · State Park ## 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: [Western Moles: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-moles)