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There are a lot of animals in nature that know how to dig tunnels underground. However, the most famous digger, known since childhood, is the mole . This mammal spends most of its life underground, which is facilitated by the special body structure and physical capabilities of the mole. This is a unique creation of nature, which brings both unconditional benefit and quite serious harm to humans.
Origin of the species and description
Photo: Mole
The mole is a very small animal with tiny eyes and strong paws that have the ability to dig through long underground passages. The eyes of some mole species are securely hidden under the skin. Moles do not have ears; they have smooth, very soft fur. The coat color is usually black, but there are also animals with a dark gray “fur coat”.
Moles are classified as insectivores, which belong to the broad class of mammals. They are part of the mole family - lat. Talpidae. The animals got their name for a reason. Literally, the word “mole” means “digger.” The name comes from the word “dig, dig.”
Video: Mole
These underground inhabitants can make passages hundreds of meters long. Under the soil, the animal arranges a sleeping place for itself and makes special corridors in which it hunts. Moles prefer to spend the night on moss, grass or leaves. They are quite intelligent animals, so a secret passage is always provided in the “bedroom” for retreat in case of danger. The underground passage is covered with bedding.
Interesting fact: Constant movement through narrow earthen passages is reflected in the appearance of the animal. Gradually, the mole wears off its fur, remaining completely bald. However, nature has provided for everything - moles grow a new “coat” 3-4 times a year.
Moles also equip their homes with additional passages to a water source. Some animals create their own underground wells. Wells fill with water during heavy rains. In winter, such animals prefer to hide deep in the ground. At great depths, the earth remains warm and does not freeze.
Beneficial features
The European mole has useful traits. They are expressed in the fact that the animal was previously an object of the fur trade. The mammal has beautiful and durable fur. At the beginning of the last century, moles were hunted for their valuable skins. But the massive catch led to the fact that the animal began to need protection. In 1928 alone, about 20 million skins were harvested.
In the Soviet Union, mole fur clothing became popular in the 1980s. But today in Russia mammals are not hunted, which is why their population has grown. Their numbers also increase due to mild winters, the construction of greenhouses, and the care of lawns and flower beds .
Moles improve the condition of the soil. They make it loose and saturate it with oxygen, which can save the earth from the formation of swamps. Animals destroy pests because they feed on them. Moles eat chafers, mole crickets, and insect larvae.
Appearance and features
Photo: Animal mole
The main feature of these small animals is the lack of vision. If for humans and other animals the lack of vision is a serious defect, then for moles it is considered the norm and even a necessity. Having normal eyes, these animals simply would not be able to spend almost their entire lives underground. Moles have eyes, but in most species they are additionally protected by a layer of skin.
Not only the organs of vision are completely adapted to underground life. The hearing organs are also adapted to it. Moles do not have ears. This is also not just provided by nature. If there were ears, then too high pressure would form in them. Such pressure would not allow the animal to be in the soil.
Diggers have fur that is very pleasant to the touch. It also has some features that differ from the fur of other animals. The mole fur covering can be easily folded in different directions. This property allows animals to slip into narrow underground tunnels without problems. The color of the fur is usually black, brown or dark gray.
The appearance of moles can be characterized by the following parameters:
- The total length of the animal is about sixteen centimeters. Of this, the body occupies approximately seven centimeters, and the rest is the length of the head and tail.
- The average weight of the animal is fifteen grams. However, representatives of the family of larger sizes are known. For example, scientists came across the Ussuri mogera, whose length is twenty-one centimeters.
- The body shape of this mammal is bar-shaped. Moles have a tiny head and an almost invisible neck. The auricles of most members of the family are undeveloped, while in others they are very small and covered with hair. Animals also have a nose in the form of a small proboscis. It contains sensitive hairs. The nostrils are directed forward.
- The mammal's paws have five toes. They are the main tool for digging long tunnels. The paws are strong and have claws. The hands resemble shovels; they are turned with the palms facing outward. The mole digs tunnels with its front legs, while its hind legs are less strong. They are very thin and resemble the paws of rats.
Lifespan
Even under the most favorable conditions, moles cannot in any way claim to be long-lived. In their natural habitat, these small predators can live for approximately 4 years. However, if living conditions are particularly favorable and there are no enemies, then they may well live a couple of years longer.
The lifespan of all types of moles directly depends on many factors. The main cause of death of these animals is disease. For example, parasites may well “reward” the crumbs with all sorts of diseases, the most common of which is piroplasmosis. They are not deprived of natural enemies, among which we can name weasel and marten.
The main enemies of the mole
Where does the mole live?
Photo: Soil animal mole
Representatives of the mole family are widespread. They live throughout Eurasia and North America. In South America, moles are completely absent. Scientists have concluded that these animals settled in North America when it was separated from the South by the Strait. Moles live in especially large numbers in Russia, Belarus, Poland, Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.
In particular, four species of moles live in Russia:
- Blind. It is distributed from Ciscaucasia to Transcaucasia. Representatives of this species can often be found in Turkey and even in Northern Iran. The animal lives in mountains, alpine meadows, and is sometimes found in forest landscapes. To live, blind moles choose loose, moist soils. Sometimes these animals live together with the Caucasian species;
- Caucasian. It settles in the central, western parts of the Caucasus, and is found in some areas of Turkey, which are adjacent to the shores of the Black Sea. Caucasian moles live mainly in deciduous forests, but in small numbers they are found in mountain meadow biotopes. In search of food, such animals can go to a depth of up to one meter. The main passages are located quite close to the surface - at a distance of five centimeters;
- Altaic. It has a uniform coat color, the fur on the belly is matte. The appearance of Altai moles is completely consistent with moles. The body of the animal is quite massive and round;
- Ordinary. This is the group of the most common moles. Its representatives can be found in various landscapes: from forests to mountains.
For a normal life and reproduction, moles need special conditions. For this reason, they choose areas with moist soil. It is most suitable for digging tunnels. The terrain of the area can be almost anything. The animals prefer a moderate climate.
Habitat
Moles live almost all over the world, with the exception of those areas where the ground is unsuitable for digging and cold areas where the soil freezes to great depths. Representatives of the underground world can be found in Europe and Asia. On the Asian part of the mainland, animals are found in the Caucasus, Turkey, China, Mongolia and Indochina. The only exceptions are the southern regions. On the American continents, mole populations are found in southeastern Canada, Mexico, and almost all central and eastern regions.
Mole populations are found only in areas suitable for their existence.
Animals prefer loose soils. They never settle in wetlands. The main condition is the availability of food supply; the more food, the more animals can gather in one area. Populations usually inhabit clearings, forest edges, non-water meadows and agricultural fields.
What does a mole eat?
Photo: Mole insectivore
Moles, although small, are quite voracious animals. They are active around the clock, but hunt more often at dusk. Animals have a high metabolism. In summer, moles eat in large quantities, and in winter, the diet and amount eaten decrease slightly. Animals prefer to live and hunt alone, but sometimes there are also representatives of the family living in groups.
The main part of the mole's diet is earthworms. Mammals eat them in the summer and store them for the winter, biting off the heads of the worms, paralyzing them. Moles also eat larvae of earthworms, larvae of click beetles, May beetles and other varieties of beetles. Flies, caterpillars, and slugs often end up in mole food.
The largest representatives of the mole family, mogers, prefer to feed on butterfly caterpillars. Star-nosed moths eat small aquatic inhabitants. They can feast on crustaceans, small fish and insects. American shrews include plant foods in their diet.
Interesting fact: A tiny mole can eat a huge amount of food in a day. The animal absorbs food, the weight of which is equal to the weight of the animal itself. Also, these mammals are quite thrifty. A mole can store about two kilograms of food in its nest for a rainy day.
In one day, the number of meals can reach six times. After each hearty meal, the mole falls asleep sweetly. Sleep duration is usually four hours. It is during this period of time that the food has time to be completely digested. The animals are not used to going hungry. They can live no longer than seventeen hours without food.
To find a fresh treat. moles do not have to dig new passages every time. They find food in old tunnels into which the worms crawl on their own. Worms are attracted due to the warmth and special smell of moles. In winter, members of the family also do not have to starve. Earthworms are no less active. They are able to make moves even in frozen ground.
What animals are similar to them
Despite the fact that moles are unique and have no analogues in the animal world, animals similar to them still live in nature. In their structure and size, various types of mice, hamsters and many other small rodents are very similar to moles.
All of the above species also lack a neck, and the head immediately turns into a body; the body is small in size and weight. Although at the same time their diet and lifestyle are strikingly different.
A picture of a mole
Features of character and lifestyle
Photo: Common mole
Almost the entire life of a mole is spent in complete darkness. They build incredible labyrinths in which they then live and hunt. Labyrinths can lie at different depths in the ground. Digging takes an animal a lot of time. Above the passages, which are located close to the surface of the earth, you can always notice a characteristic roller. The depth of the labyrinths depends on the type of soil. If it is loose and wet, the passages are made at a shallow depth; in dry soil, channels are dug at a depth of twenty centimeters.
The deepest tunnels are dug by animals under forest paths. Nests are also located at great depths. On average, females build nests at a depth of 1.5 meters. The nest is carefully lined with grass and leaves. Animals can from time to time roam around the area where they live. In the summer they descend to the lowlands, in the spring - to the hills. In spring, male moles can expand their territory several times. This is due to the search for a female for reproduction.
Moles have a contradictory character. They are grumpy and quarrelsome. Very rarely animals live in a group. They unite in pairs only when the time comes for the mating season. Moles show friendliness only at a young age. Young individuals caress each other. But with the process of growing up, not the best qualities begin to appear - grumpiness, pugnacity.
Adults often start fights if they meet each other on the way. They are capable of mercilessly biting to pieces an opponent. It is not surprising that in captivity, representatives of the family eat the meat of their relatives with great appetite. Also, moles do not have empathy. If their neighbor gets into trouble or dies, there will be no help. Moles quickly occupy the tunnels of the dead animal and use it for their own purposes.
Relationship with a person
As has already been said several times above, moles are very useful for humans, since these animals constantly destroy all kinds of pests in the areas where people live, eating all insects that harm plants. In addition, by creating their tunnels, the soil is loosened and saturated with oxygen, thus automatically increasing its fertility.
However, with an increase in the population of moles on the site, the benefit of moles instantly turns into harm, since their tunnels begin to cross the entire space, even that which does not need to be loosened. Among other things, a large number of moles can destroy all earthworms on a plot of land, which in turn will lead to a decrease in fertility.
Mole in hand
People have come up with a huge number of ways to get rid of an unpleasant neighborhood. However, you should not be afraid of this word, since not all methods lack humanism. Such methods simply force pest animals to leave their habitual places and never return to this area.
That is, they simply create living conditions that cannot meet their requirements for a comfortable life. Ultrasound generators, chemicals that have a strong unpleasant odor, objects that continuously make loud noises, and even various harmful garbage buried in the ground are used.
Social structure and reproduction
Photo: Mole wild animal
Representatives of the mole family reproduce once a year.
However, the number of moles and the breeding season differs among different species:
- The Siberian breeds in June. However, offspring appear only a year later, in the spring. On average, pregnancy lasts about two hundred and seventy days. At one time, the female gives birth to no more than six cubs;
- The Caucasian prefers to mate in February, and moles appear in March. No more than three cubs are produced at a time. The brood becomes independent within forty days after birth. Representatives of this species increase their numbers very quickly, because the offspring appear very deep underground. He is in no danger;
- The European mate in the spring - during March and April. Forty days after meeting the male, the female gives birth to moles - about nine individuals at a time. The weight of one cub, as a rule, does not exceed two grams;
- Blind. It breeds in February; the gestation period for the young is one month. The female gives birth to about five individuals at a time.
Interesting fact: The lifespan of a mole depends on its species. On average, members of the family live from three to five years.
Natural enemies of moles
Photo: Mole underground animal
Representatives of the mole family have few natural enemies. They can only be harmed by birds of prey, wild boars, badgers, and martens. Such animals often die from an arid climate, too much moisture, or at the hands of humans themselves. People kill animals either intentionally or accidentally. Some are trying to catch the mole and domesticate it. But such an undertaking also ends in the death of the animal.
Also, a small number of adult individuals die from the paws of their relatives. Adult moles are quarrelsome and pugnacious, so fights between them are not uncommon. Fights usually end with the death of one of the fighters.
Interesting fact: Moles have no natural enemies, only underground. If the animal does not climb to the surface of the earth, then nothing threatens it.
Sense organs
The eyes are small, very poorly developed and almost completely covered with skin. The mole has no ears .
The auditory openings are also covered with skin. But the animal’s hearing is remarkably developed.
Which sense organs are better developed in a mole? The frequency sound conductivity of the soil is available to him . The sense of smell is well developed. By smell, he finds food in the ground.
Tactile hairs are distributed throughout the body. Thanks to them, he senses worms located 50-70 cm from him .
Also an integral part is a 2-centimeter tail, which is covered with hairs. When the mole lifts its tail up, it feels the ceiling of the dug tunnel . If he does not feel the ground, he returns to his hole.
