Estonian fauna – the mole

The mole or European mole (Talpa europaea) is a mammal of the genus Talpa in the family Talpidae.

The body of a mole is 11-16 cm long on average and its tail is 2-4 cm long. They have a very short neck, long snout, small eyes concealed in coat, spade-like forelimbs adapted for digging and velvety fur.

Moles live mainly in Western and Central Europe, England and Asia. They can be found everywhere in continental Estonia, but not on the country’s western islands of Saaremaa, Hiiumaa and Muhumaa. They inhabit various habitats, such as broad-leaved forests, meadows and pastures. They live and feed in their underground tunnels and rarely come above ground. Their presence is indicated by mounds of soil above ground, which are called molehills. Moles are active day and night, especially at night, and all year round. They mostly eat earthworms, especially in winter. Mice, shrews, rats, frogs, lizards, snakes and others also fall prey to moles.

A mole gives birth to a litter of 3-8 pups, who become independent at the age of one month. A mole lives for 3-5 years.