Moles are rarely seen above ground, leading many to assume these small, insectivorous mammals are strictly nocturnal. Their secretive nature and subterranean habitat create confusion about their daily routines. However, a mole’s unique biology and high-energy demands mean its activity schedule does not conform to typical day or night patterns.
Activity Cycles: Neither Day Nor Night
Moles maintain constant activity throughout the 24-hour cycle, driven by an extremely high metabolic rate that requires continuous food intake. They must regularly consume large quantities of prey to survive. This constant need results in a rhythm of short, alternating periods of digging and rest, regardless of the time.
Studies tracking mole movements show they have several peaks of activity over a full day. These periods, which involve intense digging and hunting, can occur at any time. Peak activity has been observed from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and again from 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM. A mole is just as likely to be active during the afternoon as it is at night.
The duration of these cycles is short, with rest periods averaging around three hours and active periods averaging about five hours. This internal clock is regulated by their stomach, not by light, as their existence centers on maintaining energy balance. They do not hibernate because they do not store body fat or large caches of food, making continuous foraging necessary year-round.
The Subterranean Lifestyle
Moles are built for, and rarely leave, their underground world. Their body is specialized for digging, featuring powerful, paddle-like forelimbs that are wider than they are long and perpetually turned outward. Their soft, velvety fur can lie in any direction, preventing soil from impeding movement as they navigate tunnels.
Their habitat consists of two main types of tunnels. Shallow feeding runs create the visible ridges on the surface. Deep, permanent runways connect their nests and food stores, often lying five to eight inches beneath the surface. While their vision is poor, they possess an incredible sense of touch and smell, which is all they need to hunt earthworms and insect larvae in the pitch-black tunnels.
When Moles Venture Above Ground
While moles are adapted to life underground, occasional circumstances force them to the surface. One common reason is the dispersal of young moles, typically from late spring through early summer. These juveniles leave their mother’s established territory to find or dig their own home range, often traveling across the surface.
Adult moles may also temporarily emerge during early spring when the breeding season begins, as males search for females. Environmental pressures can also drive a mole to the surface, particularly after heavy rainfall or flooding.
Waterlogged earth forces them out of their tunnels in search of drier ground. Conversely, hard, dry soil during a drought may cause them to seek new food supplies closer to the surface. Surface travel is dangerous due to the risk of predation, which is why these excursions remain rare and brief.