Mole

Talpa europaea

Appearance

Moles
  • 15cm in length. 75–130g in weight.
  • Slate–grey ‘velvety’ fur.
  • Short palm–like front feet used for digging.

Lifecycle

  • 1 litter per year with 3–4 young.

Habits

  • Feeds on earthworms, insect larvae and slugs.
  • Present on most ground below an altitude of 1000m. Disfigures lawns with hills, damages farm machinery, e.g. combine harvesters, by throwing up stones.
  • Livestock may injure their legs in mole tunnels.
  • Solitary apart from breeding February to June.