FaunaHub

Mole (family Talpidae)

MammalBurrowerInsectivore

European mole (Talpa europaea) showing its velvety fur and large digging forepaws.

European mole (Talpa europaea).

Image: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Moles are small, burrowing mammals (family Talpidae) supremely adapted for a life spent underground. The European mole (Talpa europaea), shown here, is a classic example: a cylindrical, velvety-furred body, tiny eyes, no external ears, and enormous spade-like front paws turned outward for digging. Moles are powerful excavators that move huge amounts of soil.

Although the molehills they push up can frustrate gardeners, moles play a real role in aerating soil and controlling soil invertebrates, and they are fascinating examples of adaptation to underground life.

Note: there are many mole species with somewhat different habits; treat general statements as approximate and verify against authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Moles live in soils across much of Europe, Asia, and North America (depending on the species), in grassland, woodland, farmland, and gardens — wherever the ground is suitable for digging and rich in food. They spend nearly all their lives in extensive tunnel systems and are rarely seen above ground.

Diet

Moles are carnivores that feed mainly on earthworms, along with insect larvae and other soil invertebrates that fall into or are encountered in their tunnels. They have a high metabolism and must eat frequently; remarkably, some moles store living earthworms (immobilised by a bite) in special larders for later.

Behavior

A mole's tunnels act as both home and trap — the animal patrols them to collect prey that falls in. Moles have very poor eyesight but an excellent sense of touch and smell; the star-nosed mole of North America has an extraordinary, highly sensitive nose. They are mostly solitary and active in shifts of digging and resting around the clock.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Moles are familiar through their molehills and tunnels, which can disturb lawns and fields, but they also benefit soil by mixing and aerating it and by eating some pest invertebrates. They are generally harmless to people. Consult authoritative sources for species-specific details.

More photos of the mole

Close view of a European mole's spade-like front feet.

European mole (Talpa europaea), showing its digging forepaws.

Image: Emőke Dénes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Mole

Are moles blind?
Not completely, but their eyesight is very poor. Moles have tiny eyes, often hidden in fur, that can probably detect little more than light and dark — enough for an animal that lives in the dark underground. They rely far more on touch and smell than on vision.
What do moles eat?
Mainly earthworms, plus insect larvae and other soil invertebrates. Moles have a fast metabolism and need to eat often; some even keep living earthworms in a larder, immobilised by a bite, as a food store.
Are molehills bad for the garden?
Molehills and tunnels can disturb lawns and disrupt plant roots, which is why moles are often seen as a nuisance. On the other hand, their digging aerates and mixes the soil and they eat some pest grubs, so their overall effect is mixed rather than purely harmful.
How do moles dig so fast?
Moles have powerful shoulders and large, outward-facing front paws shaped like spades, with an extra thumb-like bone that widens the digging surface. This lets them push through soil with a breaststroke-like motion at surprising speed, building extensive tunnel systems.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.