Moles and Mole Control - Part 6 of 11 - Mole Facts

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• The mole is often confused with the gopher and the vole due to habitat overlap and similar eating habits — Control methods differ for these three species; many people misidentify their target and often use improper techniques in their abatement efforts.
  
• Moles are not rodents, they are insectivores, and related to shrews and bats.
  
• Moles do not hibernate.
  
• Mole mounds are shaped like a volcano and can reach heights of up to two feet tall.
  
• Moles can dig up to 18 feet of surface tunnels per hour.
  
• Moles youngsters have less than a 50% chance of surviving long enough to reproduce.
  
• Moles can travel through their existing tunnels at 80 feet/minute.
  
• The female mole will have its litter of 2 to 7 young in March or early April
  
• The hairy-tailed mole will leave its burrow and travel on the surface at night in search of food.
  
• The "tentacles" on the nose of the star-nosed mole might be the most sensitive sensory organ of any mammal. The star-nosed mole uses these "tentacles" to constantly monitor its surroundings.
  
• The star-nosed mole is extremely active throughout the winter. It has been known to form tunnels through snow and even swim under the ice of frozen ponds.
  
• The shrew mole only sleeps 8 minutes at a time and will stay awake for a maximum of 18 minutes before falling asleep again.
  
• The Shrew mole is very social and can often be found traveling in a group of up to 11 others.
  
• When a shrew mole is scared it will hide for up to a minute, then re-emerge and continue to search for food.
  

Acknowledgment:

• Henderson, F. Robert., 1994. Moles: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Extension Specialist — Animal Damage Control. Kansas State University
  
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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The Mole - Mole Overview
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