Hello, everyone! Welcome to today's journey where we discover the cool and mysterious European Mole in the United Kingdom. Even though these little diggers might not be the first animals you think of as interesting, they are very important for the world under our feet. Come with us as we learn all about these awesome underground stars!
Imagine a big network of tunnels made by our mole buddies. These tunnels are a cosy maze with bedrooms, places for having babies, and even special "bathrooms." Yes, moles have bathrooms too! They build their homes so well that it can make some human houses look not so great.
Before we learn more about moles, let's clear up a common idea. Moles are not blind! People might think they are because their eyes are small and covered in fur. But don't worry, moles can see. They're pros at using their other senses too, like touch and smell, to find their way in the dark underground world.
Moles are small, around 12 to 16 centimetres (4.7 to 6.3 inches) long, not counting their tails. They have a strong, tube-shaped body that helps them move through the soil easily. Their fur is soft and dark brown to black, perfect for sliding through the dirt.
Moles have a special pointy nose that helps them move in the soil. They depend a lot on their sense of touch and smell. They also have long whiskers that feel vibrations in the ground, helping them find tasty food like earthworms, insects, and larvae.
Their front paws are like digging machines! They are broad and strong, with powerful claws for digging in the dirt. The back feet are smaller and help the mole move around in their homes. Moles have a short, hairless tail that helps keep them steady when they dig. Unlike some other animals, their tail can't grab things.
Moles have sharp teeth for eating invertebrates, like earthworms and insects. They are smart eaters and change their food choices depending on the time of year and how much food is around.
Moles aren't loners, especially during the spring, which is their mating season. Male moles go on a journey to find a special partner, and when they find one, they make a cosy nest for their tiny mole babies. During this time, moles might need to eat more to get extra energy. Since moles spend most of their lives underground, they look for food in the tunnels they make without coming up to the surface a lot.
By Didier Descouens - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23094494
Guess what? Moles talk to each other! They use squeaks, grunts, and high-pitched clicks like their own secret code to share messages with their mole friends. It's like an underground Morse code, helping them work together and avoid traffic jams in their tunnels.
Even though moles are very helpful in keeping bugs under control and making the soil healthy, sometimes they cause problems in gardens. People might try to catch or control them, but this can accidentally hurt mole groups and mess up the balance of nature. Using chemicals on farms can also be bad for moles, making their food less available or hurting them directly.
Sometimes, moles come up to the surface, especially during mating season or when they're looking for new homes. This can be dangerous because they might get hit by cars on the roads, and it can make their population go down in the local area. People are trying to help moles and keep them safe, but it's still tricky, especially where moles are seen as pests. It's important to find a good balance between helping wildlife and doing our human activities.
As we finish our adventure with the European Mole in the UK, let's give a big cheer to these little heroes of the underground world. Their cool tunnels, smart talk, and interesting life make them a species we should all appreciate. So, next time you see a molehill in a garden, remember that under the ground is a fantastic world built by these tiny, furry architects. The European Mole: small but mighty!
Check your understanding
What is the common idea about moles that is wrong and what is the truth about it?
Describe the physical characteristics of moles and explain how these features help them in their underground lifestyle.
How do moles communicate with each other, and why is this communication important in their world?
What challenges do moles face in their environment, especially during mating season or when searching for new territory?
Why might moles be considered pests in gardens, and what are the potential consequences of trapping or controlling them?
You can now listen to this article as a podcast just click here
If you find this practice useful please consider supporting the author from just £1 per month here
Vocabulary
Cosy: Giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation; snug and comfortable.
Maze: A complex and confusing network of paths or passages; something that is intricate and confusing to navigate.
Vibrations: Rapid oscillations or movements back and forth; in the context of the text, it refers to the movements in the ground that moles can feel with their whiskers.
Invertebrates: Animals that do not have a backbone or spinal column, including insects, worms, and other organisms.
Mating Season: The period of time during which animals engage in activities related to reproduction, such as finding a mate and breeding.
Nest: A structure or place where animals, especially birds, lay eggs and care for their young.
Morse Code: A system of encoding text characters using sequences of dots and dashes, typically used for communication with telegraphy or signalling devices.
Loner: A person or animal who prefers to be alone or avoids the company of others; in the context of the text, it refers to moles not being solitary animals during the mating season.
Balance of Nature: The concept that various elements in nature are in a state of equilibrium, and disturbances to this balance can have consequences for ecosystems.
Pest: An organism, usually an insect or animal, that is considered harmful or troublesome to humans, especially in agriculture or gardening.
Comments