Mole

Name: Mole

Scientific name: Talpa europaea

Category: Mammals

Nature Stars: 60

What are nature stars?

About: An unmistakable, although rarely seen animal, the mole is about 15cm long with a short tail. They spend almost their entire time underground, living in tunnels and eating earthworms. Moles are common, found particularly in grassland and woodland edges. Although most people have never seen a mole, mole hills are a common sight across the country.

How to identify: Moles are unmistakable: a stocky little animal covered in black, velvety fur, with tiny eyes that are almost hidden by the fur, a sensitive pink nose and two big, strong shovel-like 'hands' which it uses for digging.

Where: Widespread, found everywhere except for the Channel Islands, the Isles of Scilly, Scottish islands, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 60
• Agility: 10
• Rarity: 20
• Cute factor: 70
• Traveller: 10

Fantastic fact: A Mole can dig up to 20 metres of tunnel in a day

Photograph credit: Steve Bottom