Moles are enigmatic creatures, largely known for their subterranean lives. They spend approximately 98% of their existence underground, leading many to believe they never surface. While primarily fossorial, meaning they are adapted for digging and living beneath the earth, moles do occasionally appear above ground. This surfacing is not their typical behavior but occurs under specific circumstances.
Reasons Moles Come to the Surface
Moles emerge from their intricate tunnel systems for various reasons, often tied to survival or reproduction. Young moles frequently surface in autumn when they disperse from their mother’s territory to establish their own.
Another significant reason for moles to surface is the search for mates during breeding season, typically from late winter to early spring. Environmental pressures also compel moles above ground; heavy rains or flooding can inundate their tunnels, forcing them to evacuate to higher, drier areas. Similarly, during droughts, when the ground hardens and their primary food sources like earthworms become scarce or move deeper, moles might venture onto the surface to find sustenance. They may also quickly surface if an underground obstacle, such as a large rock, blocks their path.
Mole Activities Above Ground
When a mole surfaces, its movements are distinct from other ground-dwelling animals. They typically exhibit a scurrying or waddling gait, rather than a fluid run, due to their tunneling adaptations. Their poor eyesight means they rely heavily on their sensitive snouts and strong sense of touch and smell to navigate their surroundings.
Moles are particularly vulnerable to predators like birds of prey, stoats, and even domestic cats when they are above ground. Their time on the surface is usually brief and urgent, driven by the immediate need to find shelter, locate food, or return to the safety of their underground network. They will seek to burrow back into the soil as quickly as possible.
Distinguishing Moles from Similar Creatures
Distinguishing moles from other small mammals like voles, shrews, or mice is possible by observing their physical characteristics. Moles possess large, paddle-like front feet with prominent claws, specifically designed for digging. Their eyes are very small and often concealed by fur, and they lack external ears.
Unlike moles, voles have smaller feet, more prominent eyes and ears, and longer tails, resembling typical rodents. Shrews are generally smaller than moles, with pointed snouts and more conventional rodent-like body structures. While moles create characteristic cone-shaped molehills of excavated soil, voles typically create visible runways through grass, and pocket gophers leave mounds with a distinct soil plug at the opening, offering additional clues to identification.