Moles and Mole Control - Part 4 of 11 - Where Moles Live

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Moles exist in a wide range of living conditions: they are found in geographical elevations ranging from lowland costal areas, to mountains in excess of 8,200 feet amidst a wide array of soil types and climate conditions.

The home range of the average male mole is extremely large due to the great amount of food a mole must consume to survive. As a result the mole must create a vast labyrinth of feeding tunnels covering a large area, many of which will be very shallow, create a ridge pattern on the surface, and may never be used again. Occasionally the mole will backfill these tunnels with soil brought up from below rather than pushing this soil all the way to the surface. Some species specifics are as follows:

• Eastern mole — Prefers moist, sandy soil conditions; not typically found in areas where the soil may have a large rock or gravel content. The eastern mole habitually creates two types of tunnels: the main burrow will be deep, containing burrows, and tunnels leading to feeding areas, and feeding tunnels that are shallow, very extensive, and may never be used again. The nesting chamber is usually filled with grasses and leaves and often will be found under tree roots, buildings, or a boulder. The eastern mole has been found to share its tunnels with other eastern moles.
  
• Hairy-tailed mole — Prefers light, well-drained soil. The hairy-tailed mole tends to be most active creating tunnels and mounds during the day; however, in its further search for food, it will leave its burrow and travel on the surface at night. These moles live solitarily during the winter, and the female will bear her young solitarily as well; but come spring, male hairy-tailed moles will socialize with other males and once the female bears her young, they will all share the same burrow.
  
• Star-nosed mole — Prefers moist soil with poor drainage, often habituating marshes, peat lands, and the banks of streams, lakes, and ponds. The star-nosed mole rarely digs tunnels shallow enough to be noticeable. Although most moles are prolific swimmers, only the star-nosed mole will venture into the water in search of food. It will construct its nest above the waters surface under some sort of protective object; however, the nest opening as well as many others of the star-nosed mole tunnels will open underwater. The star-nosed mole is also a social mole; often it can be found sharing its burrow with a number of its children and relatives. These moles will also use the surface for additional foraging.
  
• Broad-footed mole — Prefers moist soil. The broad-footed mole is active year round with especially vigorous behavior after the rain. Its nest will be constructed of leaves and grasses and is usually found greater than 1 foot deep into the ground. The broad-footed mole is extremely territorial; it will fiercely defend and patrol its burrow system and reside solitarily except when mating.
  
• Townsend’s mole — Prefers deep loamy soils found in moist lowland areas. The Townsend’s mole, like the eastern mole, usually creates two types of tunnels: the main burrow will be deep, containing burrows, and tunnels leading to feeding areas, and feeding tunnels that are shallow, very extensive, and may never be used again. The Townsend’s mole builds the largest nesting cavity of any North American mole. The female Townsend’s mole will construct the cavity in an elevated, protected area with many exit tunnels and line it with dry vegetation that she will change often. Often, this nesting chamber can be found by watching for a particularly large mound or several smaller mounds grouped closely together. These moles will also use the surface for additional foraging and travel.
  
• Coast mole — Prefers light, moist soil, but can also be found in sand or gravel. The coast mole is often confused with the Townsend’s mole due to their nearly identical living behavior and overlapping habitat. The nesting chamber of the coast mole is less elaborate as that of the Townsend’s mole, and typically found lined with coarse grass. The coast mole is almost never found on the surface.
  
• Shrew mole — Prefers light, easy to dig soil, containing a large amount of plant matter. The shrew mole, like many other moles, creates two types of tunnels: the primary, for travel and forage, being very shallow, often directly below loose leaves and brush. Secondary tunnels are less frequent, less that 12-inches in depth, and are used for sleeping. The shrew mole usually does not create "mole mounds" and its tunnel entrances are typically open. The female shrew mole builds its nest above ground; these nests can often be found in the low branches of shrubs.
  

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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