The European mole, Talpa europaea, is a widespread burrowing mammal found across much of Europe and parts of Asia. It spends nearly its entire life beneath the soil, navigating a complex network of tunnels it constructs. While often unseen, its presence is readily identified by the characteristic mounds of earth, known as molehills, that appear on the surface.
Unique Physical Adaptations
The European mole possesses physical adaptations that allow it to thrive in its underground world. Its forelimbs are specialized, resembling powerful spades with large, flattened claws suited for excavating soil. These limbs are rotated outwards from the body, enabling an efficient digging stroke. The mole’s body is cylindrical and streamlined, allowing it to move forward and backward with ease through narrow tunnels.
The fur of the European mole is short, dense, and velvety, lacking a distinct “grain.” This texture permits the mole to brush against tunnel walls in any direction without snagging, facilitating smooth movement in confined spaces. While its eyes are small and often hidden beneath the fur, they can detect light and movement. However, the mole relies more heavily on its developed senses of touch and smell to navigate its dark environment and locate prey. Its sensitive snout, equipped with specialized receptors, probes the soil for vibrations and scents.
Life Beneath the Surface
The European mole leads a solitary existence beneath the ground, constructing an extensive system of tunnels. This network includes shallow foraging tunnels and deeper, more permanent tunnels leading to living chambers. These deeper tunnels can extend for hundreds of meters and can be used for generations. Within these permanent tunnels, moles build spherical nests lined with dry plant material for resting and raising young.
Moles are territorial, with individual moles defending their tunnel systems from intruders. Their activity patterns are polyphasic, meaning they alternate between bursts of intense digging and foraging, lasting approximately four hours, followed by periods of rest. Talpa europaea prefers habitats with deep and stable soil for tunneling, such as deciduous woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural fields. They are found across temperate Europe, from Great Britain to western Siberia, but are absent from Ireland and parts of southern Europe.
Diet and Reproduction
The diet of Talpa europaea consists of earthworms, which it locates using its sense of smell and touch. Moles also consume other soil-dwelling invertebrates, including insect larvae, slugs, and centipedes. When a mole encounters an earthworm, it can paralyze the worm with toxins in its saliva before consuming it or storing it in underground larders for later consumption. This food storage behavior helps ensure a consistent food supply.
The reproductive season for European moles is short, occurring in the spring, from March to May. During this period, males expand their tunnel systems in search of females. After a gestation period of four to five weeks, females give birth to a single litter of two to seven hairless and blind pups in late April or early May. The young are nursed for about four to five weeks before they disperse from the maternal tunnels by the end of June. European moles have an average lifespan of about three years, though some individuals can live up to six years.
Ecological Impact and Coexistence
The European mole plays a role in its ecosystem, offering both benefits and challenges. One positive impact is its contribution to soil health. The extensive tunneling activities of moles aerate and mix the soil, which can improve drainage and nutrient distribution, benefiting plant growth. Moles also help control populations of invertebrates, including agricultural pests, by preying on them.
Despite these ecological benefits, moles are perceived as pests in gardens and agricultural settings. The creation of molehills on lawns and fields can be unsightly and can interfere with machinery in farming. These molehills are the excess soil excavated during tunnel construction, pushed to the surface. While their activities can cause localized damage, understanding their natural behaviors and ecological contributions can help foster a more balanced perspective on coexisting with these subterranean creatures.