Moles spend almost their entire lives beneath the earth’s surface. While experts at navigating their subterranean world, moles are sometimes observed above ground. This article explores their specialized underground existence and reasons for rare surface appearances.
The Mole’s Preferred Habitat
Moles possess unique physical adaptations to thrive in their underground environment. Their short, powerful forelimbs are equipped with large, spade-like paws, ideally suited for digging tunnels. Their velvety fur can lie flat in any direction, preventing soil from impeding their movement as they navigate through narrow tunnels. Moles have very small, inconspicuous eyes, often covered by a thin layer of skin, yet they can still detect light and dark, sufficient for their dark habitat. A sensitive, mobile snout with whiskers helps them detect food and navigate their surroundings through touch and vibrations.
Their diet primarily consists of earthworms and other subterranean invertebrates like grubs and insect larvae, found abundantly within their extensive tunnel systems. Moles are voracious eaters, consuming up to 60-100% of their body weight daily. Their saliva contains a toxin that can paralyze earthworms, allowing moles to store still-living prey in underground “larders” for later consumption. The underground environment provides a consistent food supply, stable temperatures, and protection from many surface predators, making it an ideal habitat.
When Moles Appear Above Ground
Moles are rarely observed above ground, spending nearly all their time burrowing beneath the surface. However, certain situations compel them to emerge. Young moles, typically 5 to 6 weeks old, disperse from their mother’s burrow to establish new territories, often in late spring or early summer (June to August). This overland travel is particularly risky due to increased exposure to predators.
Moles may also surface during extreme weather. Heavy rainfall or flooding can inundate their tunnels, forcing them to evacuate to higher ground. During prolonged droughts, hard ground and deeper burrowing food sources prompt moles to search closer to or on the surface. While active throughout the day, surface appearances are typically brief, and they may emerge more frequently at night when less vulnerable to predators.
Why Moles Emerge
The motivations behind a mole’s emergence from its underground network are driven by necessity rather than preference. One primary reason is the dispersal of young moles, who must leave their natal tunnels to find and establish their own independent territories.
Adult moles may also emerge during the breeding season, which typically spans from February through May. During this time, male moles will expand their tunnel systems and occasionally travel above ground in search of females to mate with. Additionally, moles might emerge to escape immediate dangers such as collapsing burrows or direct threats within their tunnels. They may also come to the surface to gather nesting material, or sometimes, if food sources like earthworms move closer to the surface due to environmental factors, moles will follow their prey, briefly surfacing in the process.