Mole

Talpa europaea

The mole has dark, velvety fur, spade-like front paws and measures approximately 15 cm long. They are rarely seen, but their presence is often made known by mounds of soil appearing on grassland. Molehills often emerge unexpectedly, usually overnight, due to soil being displaced from underground tunnelling and pushed towards the surface. They are most commonly seen when the soil is wet and earthworms are actively present near the surface. Moles are capable of eating their own body weight in earthworms every day.