European Mole

European Mole

Common mole, Northern mole

Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Talpa europaea
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
3-5 years
Weight
70-130
2.5-4.6
goz
g oz 
Length
11-16
4.3-6.3
cminch
cm inch 

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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No

Nocturnal

Ca

Carnivore

In

Insectivores

Ve

Vermivorous

Te

Terrestrial

Al

Altricial

Bu

Burrowing

Fo

Fossorial

Te

Territorial

Vi

Viviparous

So

Solitary

No

Not a migrant

E

starts with

Appearance

The 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.

Video

Distribution

Geography

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 Mole habitat map

Climate zones

European Mole habitat map
European Mole
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Habits and Lifestyle

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.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

European moles are carnivores (insectivores, vermivores). They feed mainly on earthworms, but also on insects, centipedes and even mice and shrews.

Mating Habits

REPRODUCTION SEASON
March-April
PREGNANCY DURATION
4-5 weeks
BABY CARRYING
2-7 pups
INDEPENDENT AGE
4-5 weeks
FEMALE NAME
sow
MALE NAME
male
BABY NAME
pup

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.

Population

Population threats

There are no major threats to European moles at present. However, in some areas of their range these moles are persecuted as a pest.

Population number

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.

Ecological niche

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.

Coloring Pages

References

1. European Mole on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_mole
2. European Mole on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41481/22320754

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