The Seven Species of Moles in North America

Physical Characteristics

• Length (head to tail): 150 – 200 mm
• Weight: 30 – 75 grams

Interesting Attributes:

• 22 pinkish “tentacles” extend from the nose and are extremely sensitive
• Prefers very wet areas and is not typically found in lawns and gardens

Physical Characteristics

• Length (head to tail): 140 – 175 mm
• Weight: 40 – 85 grams

Interesting Attributes:

• Prefer dry and loose dirt
• Feet can become almost pure white with age

Physical Characteristics

• Length (head to tail): 125 – 200 mm
• Weight: 70 – 130 grams

Interesting Attributes:

• Most common mole in North America
• Almost identical to the Coast Mole and the larger Townsend’s Mole

Physical Characteristics

• Length (head to tail): 100 – 125 mm
• Weight: 9 – 11 grams

Interesting Attributes:

• Smallest mole in North America
• Does not create mole hills

Physical Characteristics

• Length (head to tail): 140 – 200 mm
• Weight: 50 – 80 grams

Interesting Attributes:

• Virtually indistinguishable from Townsend’s Mole except for its smaller size
• Rare albino specimen was found in Delta, British Columbia. Sorry, no picture

Physical Characteristics

• Length (head to tail): 200 – 240 mm
• Weight: 100 – 160 grams

Interesting Attributes:

• Largest and heaviest of all moles
• Thought to consume more vegetation than most moles

Physical Characteristics

• Length (head to tail): 120 – 170 mm
• Weight: 65 – 90 grams

Interesting Attributes:

• Thought to be the most solitary of all moles
• Primarily nocturnal