Mole (animal)
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Genera
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Uropsilus Desmana Galemys Talpa Mogera Parascaptor Scaptochirus Scaptonyx Scapanulus Urotrichus Neurotrichus Scalopus Parascalops Scapanus Condylura |
Moles are members of the family (Talpidae) of mammals in the order Insectivora that live underground, burrowing holes. Some species are aquatic or semi-aquatic. They have cylindrical bodies covered in fur with small or covered eyes; the ears are generally not visible. They feed on small invertebrate animals living under ground. Moles can be found in North America, Europe and Asia.
The family is divided into three subfamilies:
- Desmaninae (desmans)
- Talpinae (moles)
- Uropsilinae (shrew moles)
Male moles are called boars, females are called sows. A group of moles is called a labour.
Diet
Moles eat worms. They maintain a fresh supply of worms in underground chambers. The mole immobilises the worms by biting their heads off.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-02/vu-mmg013105.php describes how the Star-nosed Mole can detect, catch and eat food faster than the human eye can follow (under 300 milliseconds).
Pest
Moles are considered to be an agricultural pest in some countries , while in others such as Germany they are a protected species. Problems caused are cited as contamination of silage with soil particles making it unpalatable to animals, the covering of pasture with fresh soil reducing its size and yield , damage to agricultural machinery by the exposure of stones, damage to young plants through disturbance of the soil, weed invasion of pasture through exposure of fresh tilled soil, and damage to drainage systems and watercourses. Other species such as weasels and voles may use mole tunnels to gain access to enclosed areas or plant roots.
Moles that burrow in the lawns of humans can disturb the earth, raising molehills and causing enough aesthetic problems to be considered as pests. They do however benefit the soil by aerating and tilling it, adding to its fertility.
They are controlled with traps and poisons such as calcium carbide and strychnine. .
Similar Animals
Other similar animals are found in family Chrysochloridae, the golden moles, also in order Insectivora, and family Notoryctidae, the marsupial moles, which are not related to true moles.
There are also similar-looking but herbivorous rodents called mole-rats that enjoy a similar life-style and are commonly called "moles", although, unlike mole-rats, no species of true mole is known to be eusocial.
Trivia
- Many types of earth-burrowing machines take their names from moles.
- Dogs often take pleasure in digging moles out of the ground and biting them to death.