Common Moles (European)

What kind of life European or ordinary moles lead to: where they live, what they eat, how their offspring are grown, and how they differ from other mole-species, is information for curious and interested people.

Biological description

Common moles (Latin name Talpa europaea) are small-sized mammals, according to the classification, belong to the order of earth-worm mole families. The dimensions of the oblong body, which ends with a small tail, can reach up to 11-16 cm, weight - 80-130 g.Males are usually larger than females.

Moles look like unusual for an underground resident. The forepaws of moles are more developed and stronger than the hind ones, shovel-like with claws and are used for making underground tunnels and building holes.

On a note!

In contrast to the rodents, deaf ordinary moles do not have front incisors for digging.

The head of the European mole has a cone shape with an elongated pink nose-proboscis. The eyes are very small, closed with moving eyelids, lacking the lens and the retina, because of which the animal sees almost nothing. Some species of molehill have no eyesight. due to overgrowth of the skin. External ears are absent, but their hearing is excellent, as well as the possibilities of smell and touch.

The hair of an ordinary mole is thick and short; it is found in various shades: from dark gray, brown to black. It grows perpendicular to the skin, due to which animals can easily move in tight underground spaces back and forth. Molting fur occurs three times a year in the spring and autumn. The tail is short, the hairs on it complement the tactile abilities of the animal and allow it to move in the rear direction.

Moles ordinary

Lifestyle and Habitat

Ordinary moles lead an underground lifestyle, almost constantly paving their way, starting from the first spring months and until the onset of cold weather. On the soil surface, their activity is immediately noticeable by the appearance of mole cells, the size of which depends on the friability and moisture of the soil. They prefer soils that can be easily dug with their paws.

Activity of these earthmoving animals It lasts all year, only in the winter months they go deeper into the ground, laying new passages located below the level of soil freezing.

Interesting!

Scientists estimate that for one night a mole can make an underground passage up to 50 meters long, and the total area of ​​its galleries and holes reaches 800 square meters. m. For breeding, they dig nesting chambers at a depth of about 1.5-2 m.

Underground passages in ordinary moles are a huge system of multi-tiered galleries with a diameter of up to 5.5 cm, some of them are horizontal, but there are also inclined drifts leading to the nest.

Mole moves are:

• superficial, depth of 1-5 cm, when the animal pushes the earth to the sides and upwards;
• deep strokes up to 50 cm in size are created when the soil is thrown onto the surface, where molehills are obtained.

Also according to their purpose, the moles ordinary moles are divided into:

• residential leading to a nest or to water;
• feed used for hunting.

The distribution area corresponds to the name: European countries. There are several subspecies of such animals on the territory of Russia: European, Altai, Caucasian and small. Common moles inhabit almost the entire European territory of Russia, the Urals and Western Siberia. Their habitat zones are clearings and forest edges, river floodplains and dry meadows.

Ordinary moles swim beautifully, so they can move to the opposite bank of the river for hunting. But on the surface of the earth are rare: because of short legs move only by crawling, so the way up can end in death from the attack of enemies, including foxes, owls, martens and other predators.

Mole Food

Mole Diet: earthworms, insects (Khrushchi, butterflies, woodlice, beetles) and their larvae. Moreover, the earthworms themselves crawl on the musky smell, which is characteristic of mole passages. The collection of food takes place when the animal moves under a layer of earth. If too much food is found, then the animal can put it aside, for which the head bites the victim, immobilizes it, and then puts it in one of the underground chambers.In the winter, by digging up the highest mole, one can find stocks in the form of hundreds of worms.

On a note!

Ordinary moles eat 3-4 times a day, consuming 20-30 g of worms or other food at a time. After the next “lunch”, the animal is removed to rest in the nest, where it rolls up into a ball and sleeps for 3-5 hours. They can endure hunger only for 14-17 hours and if they do not find food then they die.

Breeding

A nest in which an ordinary mole rests or raises offspring is usually located under the roots of trees, at the bottom of stumps or hummocks, under buildings at a depth of 1.5-2 m. Its bottom is covered with dry grass or soft moss. Usually such a hole has several entrances and exits at once.

Moles are solitary mammals, they form pairs only in the mating season, which happens in early spring. Sexual maturity comes at the age of one. The fertilized female specially prepares her nest.

Cubs are born after 40 days of pregnancy completely bald. The number of them is usually 5, but it can be up to 8. For 30 days they feed only on mother's milk, and then grow up and go into their own holes. If one of the cubs does not want to leave the nest, then the mother drives him away and even bites, seeking care in an independent life.

Interesting!

Adult males are very aggressive in nature, they are able to attack the neighbors and even nibble them, after which they can eat, showing skills of cannibalism. Adult males are very aggressive in nature, they are able to attack the neighbors and even nibble them, after which they can eat, showing skills of cannibalism. When catching a mole it is very difficult to hold him in the hands of a person, besides, the animal bites and scratches, therefore it is only possible to catch him with gloves by a person. It is very difficult to hold him in hands, and the animal bites and scratches, therefore you can catch him only with gloves.

Mole types and their differences

Mole species

Other species of common moles are found on the territory of Russia:

• Siberian or Altai mole (Talpa altaica) - differs by a shorter tail and the presence of small teeth, their eyes are open, but they differ poorly among thick fur. The fur consists of long hairs 8-12 mm. Body size: 13-19 cm, in females up to 17 cm. Coat color: dark gray or black-brown, there are animals with spots or with white-yellow hair. It lives in mountainous regions in the south of Siberia. In this type of pregnancy in females lasts up to 270 days due to the latent period.Lifespan 5 years.
• Small or blind (Talpa caeca) - is the smallest mole, its body in length reaches 8-12 cm. The fur is usually black-brown or black. Inhabits the Caucasus isthmus, Turkey and in the northern part of Iran. The diet consists of insects and larvae of beetles; there are almost no worms. The birth of babies occurs in February-March, in a litter of 1-5 cubs.
• The Caucasian mole (Talpa caucasica) has dimensions of 10-14 cm, weight up to 95 g. Taurus is covered with black velvet fur, large teeth. It inhabits the Caucasus Mountains and Turkey. It also feeds on earthworms. It breeds 2 times a year, in a litter of 2-4 babies.

Benefit and harm

The main benefits of moles are their eating of harmful insects and loosening the soil, which is well enriched with organic matter.

The main benefits of moles are their eating of harmful insects and loosening the soil, which is well enriched with organic matter.
In agriculture and in garden plots, common moles cause a lot of damage due to damage to the roots of healthy crops and the destruction of a large number of earthworms. Gardeners and gardeners almost the entire season struggling with underground earth moving animals with help folk and shop tools.