Rats do eat moles, but this consumption is a highly rare and opportunistic event, not a systematic predator-prey relationship. This interaction occurs only under very specific circumstances that break the typical isolation of the mole’s subterranean life. The vast difference in the lifestyles and dietary needs of these two mammals explains why they rarely cross paths in a predatory manner.
Moles: Specialized Insectivores of the Subsurface
Moles are specialized insectivorous mammals, not rodents, that spend nearly their entire lives beneath the soil surface. Their diet consists primarily of invertebrates, such as earthworms, grubs, and insect larvae, which they capture in their extensive tunnel systems. A mole’s high metabolic rate demands constant feeding, often requiring them to consume 70% to 100% of their body weight in food daily.
Their existence is perfectly adapted for this subterranean hunt, utilizing powerful forelimbs and a sensitive snout to navigate and detect prey. This constant activity and deep tunneling make healthy adult moles physically inaccessible to most terrestrial predators. Moles are typically solitary creatures, which reduces their overall vulnerability.
Rats: The Scope of an Opportunistic Diet
Rats are classic examples of opportunistic omnivores, consuming a wide variety of both plant and animal matter. While they readily eat grains, fruits, and human food scraps, they also actively seek animal protein when resources are scarce or nutritional demands are high. This dietary flexibility contributes significantly to their success and adaptability across diverse environments.
Their predatory capabilities allow them to hunt smaller, less protected animals, including insects, eggs, and nestling birds. When an easy source of animal protein presents itself, rats readily take advantage of the opportunity. This capacity for predation, combined with their ability to scavenge, defines their role as versatile survivors.
Defining the Predator-Prey Interaction
The consumption of a mole by a rat is almost exclusively limited to situations where the mole is severely compromised or already dead. Rats are well-documented scavengers and will readily consume the carcass of any animal they encounter. Scavenging is far more probable than a successful, active hunt against a healthy adult mole.
Active predation, when it occurs, is usually directed at the most vulnerable individuals, such as young or sick moles. These compromised animals may be forced to the surface, exposing them to a rat patrolling above ground. While an adult rat is physically capable of killing a mole, the mole’s defensive position within its tunnel network makes a confrontation too costly for the rat to initiate.
In some cases, the tunnel systems of both species may intersect, leading to territorial conflict. This conflict is typically avoidance or competition for shared subterranean resources, such as insect larvae, rather than systematic hunting. The mole’s life spent deep underground serves as its primary defense, making it an impractical and energy-intensive target for a rat.