Eastern Mole
Scalopus aquaticus
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderSoricomorpha
- FamilyTalpidae (Moles and Desmans)
- GenusScalopus
- SpeciesScalopus aquaticus (Eastern Mole)
About the Eastern Mole
The eastern mole or common mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is a medium-sized North American mole. It is the only species in the genus Scalopus. It is found in forested and open areas with moist sandy soils in northern Mexico, the eastern United States and the southwestern corner of Ontario in Canada.
The eastern mole has grey-brown fur with silver-grey underparts, a pointed nose and a short tail. It is about 16 centimetres (6.3 in) in length including a 3 centimetres (1.2 in) long tail and weighs about 75 grams (2.6 oz). Its front paws are broad and spade-shaped, specialized for digging. It has 36 teeth. Its eyes are covered by fur and its ears are not visible.
The eastern mole spends most of its time underground, foraging in shallow burrows. It feeds on earthworms, grubs, beetles, insect larvae, and plant matter. The mole is mainly solitary except during mating in early spring. The female has a litter of two to five young in a deep burrow.
In Canada, the eastern mole is limited to about 2,600 acres in southern Ontario, primarily in Essex and Kent Counties. It prefers soft, sandy, or muddy soils and avoids clay or gravel, making its suitable habitat limited. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Eastern Mole in Shenandoah National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Shenandoah National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Point Pelee National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 2 | Shenandoah National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Eastern Mole in Shenandoah National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Eastern Mole sighting in Shenandoah National Park, based on 14 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Eastern Mole in Shenandoah National Park?
February has the highest sighting rate for Eastern Mole in Shenandoah National Park in our monthly data.