Types of moles - Features, photos and examples

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 22 January 2021
Update Date: 8 November 2024
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Moles are small mammals that, together with the remains, form the talpid family of the order Soricomorpha. Both are very similar animals, however, in this PeritoAnimal article we will talk about the characteristics and examples of moles.

Moles are known for their small size, which can range from 2 to 15 centimeters depending on the species. They are also characterized by the presence of spade-shaped forelimbs, adapted for digging, large nails and small unidentifiable eyes that have always made us doubt the ability of these animals to see. Do you want to know more? Keep reading this article about types of moles most popular there are!


Types of moles - Photos and examples

In the subfamily of Talpines or Talpinae, we can find a very extensive classification of moles, so that we can group them into several types or "tribes". Within these types, we can differentiate some examples of the most well-known mole species, although they all follow a similar morphological pattern. They are as follows:

Types of Condylurini moles

Its representative is the well-known star-nose mole (Crystal condylure) which, as its name suggests, has a star-shaped nose and great tactile sensitivity for searching for food. There are studies that claim that this small animal is the mammal that eats the fastest due to its high metabolism. Furthermore, it has the ability, thanks to its large and wide front limbs, to move very well digging underground or in aquatic environments.


Where does the star-nose mole live?

The star-nose mole is found in humid regions of North America. It is worth noting that she is the only one among the different species of moles that live in humid regions (swamps and marshy regions).

Source: Pinterest

Types of moles Scalopini

Among the types of moles belonging to this group, we can find different species, such as:

  • hairy-tailed mole (breweri parascalops): it is characterized by its dark fur with lighter areas, its pointed snout and its small hairy tail.
  • North American toupe (scalopus aquaticus): is very similar to the previous one, although we can differentiate it by its more brown colors and a slightly larger size, as it can measure more than 15 centimeters.
  • broad-legged mole (Scapanus latimanus): the broad-footed mole is characterized by its robust but small body, its brownish-brown color and its broad forelegs.

In the image below we can see a specimen of a North American mole.


Types of Scaptonychini moles

Includes long-tailed mole species (Scaptonyx fusicaudus). They look similar to all other known moles. However, it is mainly known for its longer tail, no hair and generally thin.

Source: Klop

Types of Talpini moles

To this group belong species such as the European mole (European talpa), the Spanish mole (talpa occidentalis) and the Davidian mole, a species that is not very well known today. The European mole and the Iberian mole are practically indistinguishable as they both have a cylindrical body, a pointed snout, a small tail and sword-shaped limbs. However, they can be differentiated in some respects, such as the larger size of the European mole, its slightly wider limbs or its shorter muzzle.

Types of Urotrichinis moles

Among its representatives we can highlight the species Urotrichus talpoides, endemic to Japan and known for its medium-sized, furry tail, and the shrew-mole (Dymecodon pilirostris) which, as its name suggests, looks very similar to a shrew highlighting its small body size and gray coloration.

Mole Habitat

Moles are native to Eurasian countries and North America. We can hardly see these solitary mammals in the wild, as they spend most of their lives underground digging tunnels up to 3 meters deep, where they rest and store food, which is why it is thought that moles are blind, as they do not need the sense of sight to survive.

This way of life also offers them greater protection from predators, as is the case with some birds, although from time to time they may come out of their hiding places to recognize the environment in which they find themselves or to look for some food. We can identify the presence of these mammals thanks to the mounds of earth they form in the ground as a result of excavating their tunnels. So if we see these elevations from the ground, we might think that we are close to a mole's house and we should respect it.

In some agricultural regions, this animal is not very welcome, as there is a belief that they destroy the soil preventing plant growth. However, others believe that the moles offer benefits to farmers, as by stirring the soil with their paws, the nutrients needed by the vegetables emerge and the soil is aerated. Moles also eat insects, preventing them from damaging crops.

You might be interested in this other article about animals that live in caves and burrows.

How is reproduction and how are moles born

Depending on the species, the breeding months for moles can vary, but they are usually the months between February and May. At females have ovotestis, that is, a reproductive organ composed of an ovarian zone and a testicular zone (hermaphroditism). In reproductive periods the former develops more so that females can be fertilized by males, and in non-reproductive periods the testicle develops without producing sperm, but produces levels of testosterone.

When the female is fertilized, the offspring's gestation lasts about a month, and are usually born in number of 3 or 6 nude moles (without hair). Afterwards, the youngsters spend another month breastfeeding to finally become independent and ready to seek food on their own.

Now that you know more about the types of moles that exist, you might be interested in this other PeritoAnimal article on insectivorous animals: characteristics and examples.

If you want to read more articles similar to Types of moles - Features, photos and examples, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.