• Adult total length: 5 1/2 - 8 in. (135 - 200 mm)

• Tail: 3/4 - 1 1/2 in. (22 - 40 mm)

• Hind foot: 1/2 - 1 1/8 in. (15 - 29 mm)

• Weight: 3 1/5 - 5 oz. (100 - 140 g)

• Physical Characteristics: Moles have soft, silky, dense fur that lies equally well when brushed either forward or backward, an adaptation to facilitate movement in either direction in the underground burrow. The short front limbs possess feet that are greatly enlarged for digging. The forefeet are at least as broad as they are long, and the palms face outward. The claws on the forefeet are broad and flat, while those of the hind feet are relatively short and weak. The tiny, degenerate eyes are concealed in the fur and are covered by fused eyelids. External ears are absent. Eastern moles have grayish-brown fur that is frequently stained brownish or yellowish by secretions of oil glands on the head, chin, wrist, and belly. The face, feet, and tail are whitish or pinkish. The tail is short and sparsely haired. The nostrils open upward at the end of the long, pointed, and naked nose.

left lateral view of skull and mandible	dorsal view of skull	ventral view of skull

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Photographs

Scalopus aquaticus

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Geographic distribution

The eastern mole occurs in suitable habitat throughout much of the eastern United States. It ranges from southern Ontario, southeastern Wyoming, Minnesota, Michigan, and Massachusetts south to southern Florida, the Gulf Coast, and West to western Texas and northern Mexico. (See map #1).

• Range Maps

  North America	Great Smokies

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Individuals have been recorded from seven areas ranging in elevation from 1,750 feet to 3,800 feet. (See Map#2)
  • Blount Co.: Cades Cove (1,750 feet)

  • Cocke Co.: Western slope of Low Gap (2,700 feet).

  • Haywood Co.: Cataloochee.

  • Sevier Co.: Greenbrier; Metcalf Bottoms (2,000 feet); Grassy Patch (3,800 feet).

  • Swain Co.: Oconaluftee Visitor Center (2,100 feet).

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Habitat

Moles are highly specialized for subterranean life. Eastern moles prefer moist, sandy, or loamy soil. They occur in meadows, gardens, cultivated fields, river bottoms, mountain slopes, and forests.

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Conservation Biology

• Special Protection Status
  • Rangewide: None.

  • In Park: All plants and animals are protected within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Collection requires a permit which is usually granted only for research or educational purposes.

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Links to Other Sites

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References

Discover Life | All Living Things | IDnature guides | Mammalia | Talpidae | Scalopus aquaticus