Moles consume worms, and these invertebrates form the majority of their diet. The mole is a small, subterranean mammal classified as an insectivore, not a rodent. This animal has highly specialized adaptations for living entirely underground, where its primary food source is found.
The Mole’s Primary Food Source
Earthworms are the single most important component of a mole’s diet, often constituting 50% to 90% of its total food intake. This preference is due to the earthworm’s abundance in the mole’s tunnel systems and its high protein content, which provides the necessary fuel for the mole’s lifestyle. The mole’s existence is one of constant activity, requiring enormous amounts of energy just to sustain its high metabolic rate. They typically consume between 70% and 100% of their own body weight in food every 24 hours to meet their energy demands. A mole will follow its prey, digging new tunnels or patrolling existing runs to locate the earthworms that provide the bulk of this required sustenance.
Other Prey and Dietary Needs
While earthworms are preferred, the mole’s diet is not limited to a single prey species. Moles regularly consume other soil-dwelling invertebrates they encounter in their tunnels. Secondary food items include beetle larvae, commonly known as grubs, as well as centipedes, millipedes, and various insects. They also prey upon slugs, snails, and spiders that fall into or move through their underground networks. A common misconception is that moles consume plant roots or bulbs, but their diet consists almost entirely of animal matter.
Hunting and Food Storage Techniques
The mole’s complex network of tunnels acts as an efficient, passive hunting trap for its prey. Moles use their acute senses of touch and smell to detect the slightest vibration or movement of an earthworm within the soil or as it falls into a run.
Caching
For larger quantities of food, moles employ an extraordinary survival technique called caching. They utilize a toxin present in their saliva to deliver a paralyzing bite to the earthworm, often targeting the anterior segment. This bite immobilizes the worm without killing it, keeping the flesh fresh for later consumption. The paralyzed earthworms are then stored in special underground chambers, known as larders or caches, within the permanent tunnel system. Researchers have discovered these storage chambers containing hundreds, sometimes over a thousand, of still-living earthworms. This unique behavior allows the mole to maintain a supply of fresh food during periods when foraging is difficult, such as during winter or drought.