Moles
Info
Moles have velvety blue-black to gray mohair-like fur, a slender snout, needle like teeth, with flattened feet, claws and inconspicuous ears. they can grow from 6'-12" long depending on species. Moles are not rodents, but belong to a group of mammals called insectivores. Moles have a very high metabolic rate and, therefore, have to consume large amounts of food.
Moles may be distinguished from meadow voles, gophers, and shrews by their naked, pointed nose that extends well in front of the mouth. Moles have small eyes and ears that are concealed by fur. Their spade like fore feet are wider than they are long. Discharged mounded soil and heaved runways are indicators of the mole's presence.
Eastern moles can be found from the Atlantic to the foothills of the Rockies and from Southern Canada to the panhandle of Florida. All moles can be damaging but the Eastern mole is by far the most widespread. It is better described as the common or grey mole. This mole is the strongest of the group and is most often associated with tunnels and or mole mounds by residential homeowners.
Moles are active day and night throughout the year, but they are most visibly active during the spring and fall on damp days or following rain-showers when they push up more tunnel's and mounds. When the ground surface becomes frozen in the winter, or very dry during the summer, moles use only the deeper burrows
They mate during February and March, with a single litter of three to five young born later in the spring following a 6 week gestation period.
Since moles don't hibernate (they store neither food nor fat) final dispersal can result in severe lawn damage until the lawn surface freezes in winter. Newborn female moles will mate the following spring and the cycle begins anew.
