The eastern mole or common mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is a medium-sized. Its large, hairless, spade shaped forefeet are adapted for digging. The species is native to Canada (Ontario), Mexico, and the eastern United States, and has the widest range of any North American mole. A fleshy, moveable snout projecting over the mouth with nostrils on the upper part is used as an organ of touch. The minute, degenerative eyes are hidden in the fur; the eyelids are fused and sight is limited to simply distinguishing between light and dark. The ear opening is small and concealed in the fur, but hearing is fairly acute. A short, thick tail is lightly furred and is used as an organ of touch, guiding the mole when it moves backward in the tunnel.
Ten Facts about Eastern Mole
- The mole is about 16 centimetres (6.3 in) in length including a 3 centimetres (1.2 in) long tail and weighs about 75 grams (2.6 oz).
- The eastern mole is native to Canada (Ontario), Mexico, and the United States, and has the widest range of any North American mole.
- The species prefers well-drained, loose, sandy or loamy soil, and avoids heavy clay, stony or gravelly soils, and very dry or very wet soils.
- The eastern mole is voracious and will daily consume food equal to 25 to 100% of its weight.
- the species principally diets on earthworms when these are available, but will eat many other foods including slugs, snails, centipedes, larval and adult insects, scarab beetle grubs, and ants at all their life stages.
- Gestation is usually 45 days and a single litter of two to five young is produced between mid-April and June.
- Dogs, cats, foxes, and coyotes are some of the predators of the species.
- Moles vocalize by making high-pitched squeals, harsh, guttural squeaks, short snorting sounds, and grating the teeth.
- the species can burrow at a rate of 6 meters per hour.
- Longevity has been estimated at 6 years.
