Common mole, Northern mole
The European mole (Talpa europaea) is a small fossorial mammal that lives across most of Europe. It is also known as the Common mole and the Northern mole. This mole lives in a tunnel system, which it constantly extends. It uses these tunnels to hunt its prey. Under normal conditions the displaced earth is pushed to the surface, resulting in the characteristic molehills. Its saliva contains toxins which paralyze earthworms in particular.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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VermivorousVermivore (from Latin vermi, meaning "worm" and vorare, "to devour") is a zoological term for animals that eat worms (including annelids, nematodes...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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BurrowingA burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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FossorialA fossorial animal is one adapted to digging which lives primarily but not solely, underground. Some examples are badgers, naked mole-rats, clams, ...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe fur of European moles is usually dark grey but can vary depending on location. These moles have small eyes that are hidden behind fur, and their ears are just small ridges in the skin. European moles are well-adapted for their life underground. Their forelegs are short but sturdy and equipped with wide claws. Moles use them for digging their tunnels as they help to pull the animal along. Their hind legs are much smaller. Females in this species are typically smaller than males.
European moles are found from Britain and Spain eastwards through much of continental Europe to the rivers Ob and Irtysh in Russia. However, they don't occur in southern Europe. These moles live in habitats where there is deep soil that allows them to dig their tunnels. They prefer meadows, pastures, gardens, and parks. They are rarely found in coniferous forests or habitats with sandy or stony soils. European moles may also spend a lot of time at the sides of drainage lines and streams but do not inhabit flooded soils.
European moles live in an underground tunnel system, which they constantly extend. They spend most of their life underground in their burrows, and only sometimes come outside. These animals use their tunnels for food, collection and storage, and nesting. Interesting that females and males differently construct their burrows. Females tend to build an irregular network. Males build a long, straight tunnel with many branches. European moles are solitary creatures and very territorial. Both males and females mark their territory with the scent. European moles hunt their prey and stay active only at night. They use three methods of foraging. Individuals may dig in the soil, walk and search through the burrow system, or may hunt on the surface.
European moles are carnivores (insectivores, vermivores). They feed mainly on earthworms, but also on insects, centipedes and even mice and shrews.
Little is known about the mating system in European moles. They have a relatively short breeding season, that occurs in March and April, followed by a gestation period of four to five weeks. Most births occur at the end of April or at the beginning of May. The litter size ranges from two to seven pups. Young are born blind and hairless. Females nurse their offspring for four to five weeks and at the end of June, the young usually leave the tunnels. Both males and females become reproductively mature at 1 year of age.
There are no major threats to European moles at present. However, in some areas of their range these moles are persecuted as a pest.
The IUCN Red List and other sources do not provide the European mole total population size, but this animal is common and widespread throughout its known range. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Due to their diet, European moles play an important role as predators of insects and worm and may impact their prey communities. They also aerate and turn the soil in their environment due to their extensive tunneling work.
