The mole is a subterranean mammal whose anatomy is specialized for a life spent entirely underground, and the answer to whether it has a tail is a clear yes. Moles belong to the family Talpidae, and their unique physical structure allows them to be highly effective at burrowing through soil. Their body plan is a testament to evolutionary adaptation for a fossorial lifestyle. While their tails are not prominent, they perform specific functions that aid the mole in navigating its dark, intricate tunnel systems.
Anatomy and Function of the Mole’s Tail
The mole’s tail is typically very short, often measuring only about one inch long in species like the Eastern mole, and is frequently described as stubby or pencil-like. Unlike the dense, velvety fur covering the rest of the body, the tail is often sparsely covered with hair, sometimes appearing nearly naked. The skin of the tail is equipped with fine sensory hairs or bristles that are extremely sensitive to touch and vibration. This short appendage acts as a rear-facing sensory organ, which is significant given the mole’s poor vision. As the mole moves through its tight tunnels, the tail drags along the walls, providing immediate tactile information.
Specialized Adaptations for Underground Life
Beyond the tail, the mole possesses remarkable physical traits suited for its unique existence. The forelimbs are the most distinctive feature, being massively enlarged and paddle-like with broad spadelike claws. The humerus, or upper arm bone, is short and broad with enlarged muscle attachment sites, and the limb is rotated outward from the body. This anatomical arrangement allows the mole to use a powerful “humeral rotation” digging motion, similar to a breaststroke, to efficiently shear and push soil out of the way.
The animal’s fur is also specialized, being short, dense, and velvety, allowing the hairs to lie in any direction. This ability reduces friction and prevents the mole from getting snagged, enabling it to move backward or forward with equal ease within its narrow tunnels.
The snout is another highly sensitive tool, tipped with thousands of microscopic sensory structures called Eimer’s organs. These organs allow the mole to detect and differentiate minute details in its immediate environment. Moles essentially use touch as a refined substitute for sight when foraging for earthworms and other invertebrates.
How to Distinguish Moles from Other Small Burrowers
People often mistake moles for other small, ground-dwelling mammals, most commonly voles and shrews, but several key physical differences make identification straightforward. The mole’s most telling feature is its greatly enlarged, outward-facing front paws, which are two to three times wider than its rear paws. Moles also have a long, blunt snout, and their eyes and ears are inconspicuous, often hidden beneath their fur.
Voles, which are rodents, have a more rounded head, visibly larger eyes, and front paws that are not specialized for digging. Their tails are generally longer and noticeably furred compared to the mole’s short, nearly naked tail.
Shrews are smaller than moles, have a long, pointed snout, and possess delicate front feet. Observing the distinct differences in tail length, snout shape, and the size of the forefeet allows one to reliably distinguish a burrowing mole from its neighbors.