ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Eastern Mole

 Eastern Mole


Eastern mole
Photo by Jim McCormac
While the Eastern mole may cause damage to lawns and gardens, they also aerate the soil and eat unwanted insects.

Eastern mole track

Eastern Mole Track
(Click track to enlarge)
 

Eastern Mole
Scalopus aquaticus

At-a-Glance

• Typical Foods: worms, insects, and some vegetable matter
Description
The Eastern mole is characterized by its broad front feet with the palms turned outward and the lack of external ears. They have tiny eyes and ears, each covered with a thin layer of skin. Their soft fur is a silvery to slate-gray color. The tail is hairless.

Habitat and Habits
This mole can be found in areas with moist, sandy loam soil such as lawns, golf courses, gardens, and fields. They burrow just below the surface of the ground by pushing through the soil with their snout and forefeet.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
Eastern moles only breed once a year. After a gestation period of about six weeks, four to five young are born. They live in a nest in the tunnel system with their mother until they reach maturity at about one month of age.