The Eastern Mole is the most familiar mole in North America, responsible for the distinctive raised ridges of surface tunnels that crisscross suburban lawns and gardens. Its broad, paddle-like forefeet face outward—a unique limb orientation among mammals—and can excavate 18 feet of new tunnel per hour. Moles store immobilized earthworms in underground larders as a living food cache for winter.
Best time to see a Eastern Mole
The best time to see a Eastern Mole is February–July, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,220 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Eastern Mole? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Eastern Mole sightings near you
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