Moles

Moles are not very popular with some garden owners. These animals live underground, where they dig long tunnels and push soil up to the surface, creating lots of molehills. This can spoil the look of a perfect lawn. But gardeners should actually be glad to have them. Moles also catch lots of pests.

There are about 35 different species of mole in the world, but only the European mole is found here. They grow to about 11 to 16 centimeters long and weigh around 70 to 120 grams. Their fur is usually dark gray to black. The hairs are up to about 8 millimeters long in summer and 12 millimeters long in winter. Their fur has no nap, so they can crawl forward and backward equally well and quickly.

The short, stubby tail is usually held upright. A mole’s body is slightly narrower at the front than at the back, ending in a pointed snout. This helps moles glide easily through their underground tunnels. Their front limbs are short and broad. Their hands have five strong claws and are turned outward. This makes them exceptionally good at digging tunnels and moving earth. Their hind limbs also end in claws, but these are much smaller.

Although their ears are not visible from the outside, moles can hear well. With their small eyes, they can only distinguish light from dark. Their senses of smell and touch are especially important, and are located around their bare snouts.

Moles spend most of their time underground. Their tunnels are about 5 centimetres in diameter. They range in depth from a few centimetres to about a metre. In a single night, moles can dig tunnels measuring 20 to 30 metres in total. They push the soil to the sides or bring it up to the surface.

Moles are solitary animals and only come together to mate. Each mole has its own territory. So even if you find lots of molehills in your garden, they are usually all made by just one mole.

Moles regularly explore their tunnels in search of food. They eat earthworms, insect larvae, beetles and young mice. Each day, moles need to eat an amount equivalent to about 75 to 85 percent of their own body weight. Before winter, they sometimes store earthworms for later.

Each burrow system has living, sleeping and resting areas. Female moles line one chamber with dry plant material and use it as a nesting chamber, where the young are born and raised. They are born between late April and early June. A litter consists of two to seven pups, which weigh only about 3 grams and are 4 centimeters long. They are also blind for the first few days. By six weeks old, the young are fully grown and set out to find a territory of their own.

Many young moles die early. They starve because they cannot find a territory of their own, succumb to the cold in winter, or are caught by birds of prey, foxes, or martens.

What can you do if a mole makes mounds in your garden or meadow? The best thing is to learn to live with it. You can spread out the soil. You can also try to scare the mole away. For example, moles do not like loud, disturbing noises. Never catch moles using lethal traps. They are strictly protected.