Creature feature
Moles - (Talpa europaea)
Adult 12-16 cm long, weighs 70-110gms.

Life Style
The mole is covered in black velvety fur that can set in any direction. It has adapted for burrowing with large spade-like forefeet. The eyes are small and hidden amongst the fur. There are no external ear flaps. The moles sense of touch and hearing is also well adapted. Moles are found throughout Britain where soil is suitable for tunnelling, especially in grasslands and deciduous woodland. They are solitary, living mainly underground in a tunnel system that may cover any area of 400-2000 sq metres. They feed on earthworms and other invertebrates. Much of their prey is caught when it falls into the tunnel system that acts like a pitfall trap. The mole patrols the tunnel system in four and a half hour periods with three and a half hours of rest. Active periods start at dawn and dusk. The breeding season lasts from February to June with one litter per year, a four week gestation period and a five week weaning time.

Pest Factor
The damage to amenity and managed grasslands by unsightly molehills making the land unfit for use. In silage the soil from molehills can result in spoilt, unpalatable feed and a possible source of the disease listeriosis in sheep fed on contaminated silage.