Moles
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Uropsilus |
Moles are members of family (Talpidae) of mammals in the order Insectivora that live under ground, burrowing holes. Some species are aquatic or semi-aquatic. They have cylindrical bodies covered in fur with small or covered eyes; the ears are generally not visible. They feed on small invertebrate animals living under ground. Moles can be found in North America, Europe and Asia.
The family is divided into three subfamilies:
- Desmaninae (desmans)
- Talpinae (moles)
- Uropsilinae (Shrew moles)
Other similar animals are found in family Chrysochloridae, the golden moles, also in order Insectivora, and family Notoryctidae, the marsupial moles, which are not related to true moles.
There are also similar-looking but herbivorous rodents called mole-rats that enjoy a similar life-style and are commonly called "moles", although, unlike mole-rats, no species of true mole is known to be eusocial. A group of moles is called a labour.
Moles eat worms. They maintain a fresh supply of worms in underground chambers. The mole immobilises the worms by biting their heads off.
Many types of earth-burrowing machines take their names from moles.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-02/vu-mmg013105.php describes how the Star-nosed Mole can detect, catch and eat food faster than the human eye can follow (under 300 milliseconds).
Moles that burrow in the lawns of humans can disturb the earth enough to become pests. They can be controlled with traps and chemicals.
Dogs often take pleasure in digging moles out of the ground and biting them to death.