European Mole
Talpa europaea
Where is it found?
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Woodlands, field and meadows
Diet and foraging method
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European moles use several different methods of finding food depending on the soil conditions. These include; digging in soil, walking through the burrow systems, or searching on the surface of the ground.
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Key adaptations
European moles have five large claws on their forefeet that are permanently turned outward to help when tunnelling. They also have a rounded body and short fur which makes it easier for them to push through soil.
Social organisation and mating system
Solitary
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Form promiscuous pairs
Did you know that...?
They are polyphasic (sleep multiple times during a day) and spend most of their active periods searching for food.
Taxonomy
Picture credits:
Maps from: http://species.mol.org/species/
"Close-up of mole" by Mikiwikipikidikipedia at en.wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Close-up_of_mole.jpg#/media/File:Close-up_of_mole.jpg
"Maulwurf (Talpa)" by Stefan Didam - Schmallenberg - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maulwurf_(Talpa).jpg#/media/File:Maulwurf_(Talpa).jpg
"Heubach mole". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heubach_mole.jpg#/media/File:Heubach_mole.jpg
"Close-up of mole" by Mikiwikipikidikipedia at en.wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Close-up_of_mole.jpg#/media/File:Close-up_of_mole.jpg
"Maulwurf (Talpa)" by Stefan Didam - Schmallenberg - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maulwurf_(Talpa).jpg#/media/File:Maulwurf_(Talpa).jpg
"Heubach mole". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heubach_mole.jpg#/media/File:Heubach_mole.jpg
