The Eastern mole is the most common species of mole found throughout Iowa The Eastern mole averages 7 inches in length. They live almost exclusively in an underground tunnel system of their own making. Occasionally they come to the surface to search for water, nesting material, or a new home area
The mole has large front feet have well-developed claws used for digging that are broader than long and rotated to the side of the body so the palms are held vertically and pointed backward. The hind feet are small and the short tail is thick and nearly hairless.
Moles and Voles are solitary life except when mating and raising young. Mating occurs during late winter and early spring, with three to five young. Young grow quickly and leave the nest about one month after birth.
Moles and Voles are active all year long. They are most active near the surface in the spring and fall. For the rest of the year, moles are active in the deeper permanent tunnels.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Moles dig two basic types of tunnels: shallow surface runways used for feeding and deep more permanent tunnels used for travel and dens. Surface runways are commonly seen as raised ridges running aimlessly through lawns, golf courses, or woodlands. Some surface runways may be used only once; others are main runways, often running along with man-made structures like sidewalks, fence rows, and lawn borders.
Eastern moles will not tolerate any openings in their tunnel system, and they will rapidly repair all breaks in their main runways.
Deep tunnels are generally from 6 to 24 inches underground—deep enough to be below the winter frost line and remain cool during the summer heat. A molehill is built of dirt excavated from these deep tunnels, deposited on the surface in a volcano-shaped mound.
MAIN ISSUES
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