Eastern+Mole

Inga Rodness Cole Douvier Brandon Larsen-Miller

__**Eastern Mole**__
 * Scalopus aquaticus **

 **Size** **Ranges****:** Length= 4 to 7 inches Tail= ¾ to 11/4 inches **Weight:** 3 to 5 ounces (85-142 grams) **Lifespan:** 1 to 2 years **Number of Offspring:** 2 to 6 **Gestation**: 32 to 42 days **Breeding:** February to March Mating **Habitat:** Woods, fields, lawns, and gardens **Diet:** earthworms, insects, snails, centipedes, spiders, and sometimes even small birds. **Protection:** The mole goes underground when threatened. If it can not get underground, it releases a musk that keeps the predator from wanting to come any closer.
 * Their Home:** Eastern moles make burrows or tunnels. They make a nest burrow and tunnels coming out of it from many different locations.

**__ Description __** Eastern Moles have short silky fur. Their fur is brown or gray with a silver shine to it. Their snout is long and pointed. Their feet are large and wide. Eastern moles tails are naked and short. Eyes of the eastern mole are often hidden by fur. Males are usually slightly larger than females.


 * Differences Between Other Moles:** The eastern mole is the largest and most common mole in Minnesota. It does not have the fleshy projections on its snout. It is larger than the star-nosed mole.

Sources: []