| Eastern Moles have the widest distribution of any North American mole, and are common throughout most of the eastern United States where soils are favorable. They prefer moist loamy or sandy soils and are scarce or absent in heavy clay, stony, or gravelly soils. They avoid areas that are too wet or too dry. Well-adapted to a fossorial (underground) life, the eastern mole has short, fine fur that can lie flat facing forward or backward, depending on whether the animal is moving forward or backward through a tunnel. Its eyes are covered by skin, there are no external ears; and the mole's body is streamlined and powerful, equipped with broad side-facing hands for digging.
Also known as:
Topos
Sexual Dimorphism:
Males are larger than females.
Length:
Average:
151 mm males; 149 mm females
Range:
103-208 mm males; 129-168 mm females
Weight:
Average:
90 g males; 70 g females
Range:
40-140 g males; 32-90 g females
References:
Linnaeus, C., 1758. Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classis, ordines, genera, species cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tenth Edition, Vol. 1, p. 53. Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm, 824 pp.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
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Scalopus aquaticus - southern form
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