| Scientific Name | Specimen Records |
|
|||
| Scalopus aquaticus (Linnaeus) | ATBI Database | ||||
| Common Name | |||||
| Eastern Mole | |||||
| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | |
| Animalia | Chordata | Mammalia | Insectivora | Talpidae | |
| Animals | Vertebrates | Mammals | Insectivores | Moles | |
The eastern mole occurs in suitable habitat throughout much of the eastern United States. In the park, individuals have been recorded in areas ranging in elevation from 1,750 feet to 3,800 feet. Moles are highly specialized for subterranean life. They have soft, silky, dense fur that lies equally well when brushed either forward or backward, an adaptation to facilitate movement in either direction in the underground burrow. The short front limbs possess feet that are greatly enlarged for digging. Few animals prey on moles because of their subterranean habits and musky odor. Eastern moles are active year-round and do not hibernate.
SPECIES DESCRIPTION
- Adult Total Length: 135-200 mm (5 1/2-8
in.)
- Tail: 22-40 mm (3/4-1 1/2 in.)
- Hind Foot: 15-29 mm (1/2-1 1/8in.)
- Weight: 100-140 g (3 1/5-5 oz.)
- Physical Characteristics: Moles have soft, silky,
dense fur that lies equally well when brushed either forward or backward, an
adaptation to facilitate movement in either direction in the underground burrow.
The short front limbs possess feet that are greatly enlarged for digging. The
forefeet are at least as broad as they are long, and the palms face outward.
The claws on the forefeet are broad and flat, while those of the hind feet
are relatively short and weak. The tiny, degenerate eyes are concealed in the
fur, and are covered by fused eyelids. External ears are absent. Eastern moles
have grayish-brown fur that is frequently stained brownish or yellowish by
secretions of oil glands on the head, chin, wrist, and belly. The face, feet,
and tail are whitish or pinkish. The tail is short and sparsely haired. The
nostrils open upward at the end of the long, pointed, and naked nose.
Skull Drawings:
| Skull lateral view. | Skull dorsal view. | Skull ventral view. |
 |
 |
 |
| Click illustrations to enlarge. The Mammals of Virginia, by Donald W. Linzey. Copyright 1998. All rights reserved. |
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DISTRIBUTION
North America:
 |
The eastern mole occurs in suitable habitat throughout much of the eastern United States. It ranges from southern Ontario, southeastern Wyoming, Minnesota, Michigan, and Massachusetts, south to southern Florida, the Gulf Coast, and West to western Texas and northern Mexico. |
In Park:
 Click maps to enlarge. |
Eastern moles have been recorded from seven areas ranging in elevation from 1,750 feet to 3,800 feet. |
NATURAL HISTORY
Habitat:
Moles are highly specialized for subterranean life. Eastern moles prefer moist, sandy, or loamy soil. They occur in meadows, gardens, cultivated fields, river bottoms, mountain slopes, and forests.
Reproduction:
Breeding occurs once a year, usually in late winter or early spring. Litter sizes range from two to five young. In the park, a lactating female was recorded July 14 at the Oconaluftee Ranger Station (Linzey, 1995b).
Longevity:
Several moles, adults when first captured, lived in the field for periods up to 36 months in Kentucky, and several were still alive and healthy at the end of the study (Harvey, 1967).
Terrestrial Ecology:
Eastern moles are active year-round and do not hibernate. They are solitary except during the breeding season. Eastern moles construct two basic types of tunnels. Temporary, or feeding, tunnels are constructed barely beneath the surface, but at a uniform depth. These tunnels are built by the mole during its search for food. The lower level tunnels are located from 20 to 60 cm beneath the surface. These lower tunnels constitute the mole's living quarters, and serve as a retreat and as a nest site for the young.
Predators and Defense:
Few animals prey on moles because of their subterranean habits and musky odor. Snakes, owls, and foxes are probably their main predators. In the park, an eastern mole was found in the stomach of a copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) in the Cataloochee area (Linzey, 1995b).
Parasites:
None recorded from the park.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Special Protection Status:
- Rangewide: None.
- In Park: All plants and animals are protected
within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Collection requires a permit which
is usually granted only for research or educational purposes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Field work:
N/A
Supporting Institutions:
N/A
Text:
Dr. Donald W. Linzey, Wytheville Community College, Wytheville, VA (wclinzd@wcc.vccs.edu)
Christy Brecht, Wytheville Community College, Wytheville, VA (wcbrecc@wcc.vccs.edu)
Photographs:
Roger Barbour. All rights reserved.
Drawings:
The Mammals of Virginia, by Donald W. Linzey. Copyright 1998. All rights reserved.
Maps:
The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals, edited by Don E. Wilson and Sue Ruff. Copyright 1999. All rights reserved.
Richard Schulz, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Steve Hadden, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Web page:
REFERENCES
Harvey, M.J. 1967. Home Range, Movements, and Diet Activity of the Eastern Mole, Scalopus aquaticus. American Midland Naturalist 95: 436-445.
Komarek, E.V. and R. Komarek. 1938. Mammals of the Great Smoky Mountains. Bulletin of the Chicago Academy of Science 5(6): 137-162.
Linzey, D.W. 1995a. Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The McDonald & Woodward Publishing Company, Inc., Blacksburg, Virginia.
Linzey, D.W. 1995b. Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park-1995 Update. Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 111(1): 1-81.
Linzey, D.W. 1998. The Mammals of Virginia. The McDonald & Woodward Publishing Company, Inc., Blacksburg, Virginia.
Yates, T.L. and D.J. Schmidly. 1978. Scalopus aquaticus. Mammalian Species No. 105: 1-4. American Society of Mammalogists.
