ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Hairy-tailed Mole

 Hairy-tailed Mole

Hairy-tailed mole
Hairy-tailed moles are primarily fossorial (they live underground) and are most active during the day. The underground tunnels that they create may be used eight years or more by many generations of moles.

Hairy-tailed mole track

Hairy-tailed Mole Track
(Click track to enlarge)

Hairy-tailed Mole
Parascalops breweri

At-a-Glance

• Gestation period : 4 weeks

• Litter size : average of 4

• Typical Foods: insects and earthworms.

Description
The hairy-tailed mole looks much like the Eastern mole, except it is smaller and has a distinctly hairy tail.

Habitat and Habits
This mole prefers to live in sandy loam soils with good vegetative cover. They avoid heavy, wet soils. Unlike the Eastern mole, the hairy-tail will travel above ground at night.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
Hairy-tailed moles breed once or twice a year. After a gestation period of about four weeks, an average of four young is born. They live in a nest in the tunnel system with their mother until they reach maturity at about one month of age.