Moles are mammals primarily known for their lives spent almost entirely beneath the Earth’s surface. They are exceptionally adapted for underground existence, with unique physical characteristics for thriving in dark, confined spaces. Understanding their distinctive appearance helps to identify them and appreciate their specialized role in various ecosystems.
Distinctive Body Shape and Size
Moles possess a compact, cylindrical body shape, which allows them to move efficiently through their narrow tunnels. Their neck is notably short, creating a seamless transition from head to body, aiding their streamlined movement underground. This robust build is ideal for pushing through soil.
Most common mole species are small to medium-sized mammals. For instance, the Eastern mole typically measures between 5.5 to 8 inches in length, with a weight ranging from 1 to 5 ounces. The European mole is slightly smaller, generally 4.3 to 6.3 inches long and weighing between 2.5 to 4.6 ounces. Star-nosed moles fall within a similar range, from 5.9 to 8.3 inches long and weighing 1 to 2.63 ounces.
Specialized Adaptations for Underground Life
Moles’ large, shovel-like front paws are a striking underground adaptation. These broad forelimbs are equipped with strong, flat claws and are rotated outward, functioning like oars to push soil aside during digging. Moles essentially “swim” through the soil using a breaststroke-like motion.
Their fur is adapted for subterranean movement, being dense and velvety. This unique texture allows moles to move backward or forward in tunnels without resistance or trapping dirt. A mole’s eyes are very small and often hidden within their fur, primarily detecting changes in light, not forming detailed images. They also lack external ear flaps, with small openings covered by skin to prevent dirt entry while allowing sound detection.
A mole’s flexible, sensitive snout is important for navigating and finding prey in darkness. The snout is covered with thousands of microscopic sensory structures called Eimer’s organs, which provide an acute sense of touch, allowing moles to discriminate objects and detect subtle vibrations of earthworms and insects in the soil.
Common Mole Species and Their Appearance
While sharing core adaptations, different mole species exhibit subtle visual variations. The Eastern mole, common in North America, has velvety gray or brownish-black fur, a pointed snout, and large, scoop-shaped front paws. Its short tail is often scantily furred.
The Star-nosed mole is the most visually distinctive, characterized by 22 pink, fleshy tentacles radiating from its snout in a star-like pattern. Its unique nasal structure is densely covered with Eimer’s organs, making it very sensitive. Its fur is typically black or brownish-black, and it possesses a long, scaly tail that can swell in winter for fat storage.
European moles typically have dense black, velvety fur and a longer, pink snout. Their forelimbs are spade-like with long claws, but their fur color tends to be darker than many North American species.
Differentiating Moles from Look-Alikes
Identifying a mole involves distinguishing it from other small, burrowing animals. Shrews, for instance, share a pointed snout but have smaller, rodent-like front feet, unlike a mole’s enlarged digging paws. Shrews also have tiny but visible eyes and ears, which are less concealed than a mole’s.
Voles, sometimes called meadow mice, resemble small, stocky mice with shorter tails and rounded bodies. Their ears and eyes are more prominent than a mole’s. Their front feet are mouse-like, not broad and shovel-shaped. Unlike moles, which are insectivores, voles are herbivores and primarily feed on plants.
Gophers are typically larger than moles, ranging from 4 to 12 inches in length. They possess large, fur-lined cheek pouches for carrying food, a feature absent in moles. Gophers also have more visible eyes and ears, prominent front teeth, and a different tail structure, usually small with only a few hairs. Their mounds of excavated dirt are often crescent or fan-shaped with a plugged hole to one side, differing from a mole’s conical, volcano-shaped molehills.