Moles - Pictures

Moles

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Moles - Diet

Moles are known to have a very high metabolic rate. This fact explains their need to consume large amounts of food. Moles are carnivorous. The bulk of the mole's diet consists of earthworms, grub worms, invertebrates and insects. Being insectivores, moles are capable of eating around 140 cutworms and grub worms daily. They also prey on other soil-dwelling creatures, like beetles, spiders, millipedes and centipedes. Moles search for food daily by means of tunneling near the surface.

Moles - Discrediting the Myths

There are plenty of myths connected with these creatures. Moles seem mystical and secretive, as they basically spend their life underground. Some people believe moles are blind. This is not true to fact. Their eyes present a thin membrane behind their snout. The mole's eyes sense light.

The mole's appetite appears insatiable. It is true to some extent. However, moles do not eat several times as much as they weigh daily. One hundred per cent of their body weight in food equivalent seems enough for them.

Contrary to common belief, moles are not nocturnal. It is highly probable that moles work and sleep in 4-hour shifts. Moles are more active late in the evening or in the early morning hours. Moles are unlikely to show when they hear someone walking or when they sense some danger.

Seeing molehills in their orchards and gardens, most people tend to think there have been mole invasion and dozens of moles or more have caused the damage. However, moles are solitary animals. Moreover, they are aggressive enough to be able to fight another mole if it is competitive for the territory. Moles are extremely interesting mammals whose life style and habits deserve additional research.

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