Overview
What Are Ground Moles?
Moles, while they can get mistaken for mice or voles, are not actually rodents. These small mammals spend most of their lives underground and are rarely seen above ground.
However, it's still important to know what these potentially destructive lawn pests look like, so you can tell them apart from other creatures that may be in your yard.
Identification
There are several species of moles, but they all have similar distinguishing characteristics that will help you to identify them:
- A mole's front feet are their hallmark feature: they are oversized, with paddle-like hands and large claws that help them dig and move quickly through the soil.
- Moles are brown to dark gray, with soft fur.
- They have long snouts, protruding about an inch from their faces.
- They are small, only about 6 to 8 inches long and weigh less than a pound.
- Moles eat mainly earthworms and white grubs, which they prefer, but may also eat other insects, snails, spiders, small animals, and rarely, plants.
- They require a lot of food energy, and can eat about 80% of their body weight every day.
- They create underground tunnel systems and burrows, where they travel and live for most of their lives. These burrows are what causes lawn damage.