Mole

Talpa europaea

Appearance

•  15cm in length. 75-130g in weight.
•  Slate-grey 'velvety' fur
•  Short palm–like front feet used for digging.

Lifecycle

•  1 litter per year with 3-4 young.

Habits

•  Feeds on earthworms, insect larvae and slugs.
•  Present on most ground below an altitude of 1000m. Disfigures lawns with hills, damages farm machinery, e.g. combine harvesters, by throwing up stones.
•  Livestock may injure their legs in mole tunnels.
•  Solitary apart from breeding February to June.