Family: Talpidae, Moles view all from this family

Description Dark gray or nearly black above; slightly paler below. Only eastern mole with short, hairy tail. Older individuals may have white snout, tail, and feet. L 5 1/2–6 3/4" (139–170 mm); T 7/8–1 3/8" (23–36 mm); HF 3/4" (17–21 mm); Wt 1 3/8–2 1/4 oz (40–64 g).

Similar Species Eastern Mole is often larger, with nearly naked tail.

Habitat Woods with well-drained, light soil; also brushy areas; occasionally lawns or golf courses adjacent to woods.

Range Extreme se Canada and New England southwest through mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, and west through e Ohio.

Discussion Tunneling beneath the surface by day, the Hairy-tailed Mole often emerges at night to feed. If abroad by day, it may be so oblivious to human presence that it can be caught by hand; occasionally it is captured by cats and other predators. Like most other moles, it eats earthworms, but also grubs, beetles, ants, and other invertebrates. In the laboratory it has been known to eat food in quantities up to three times its own weight per day. It is active all winter but frequents deeper, hence better-insulated, tunnels at that time. In the wild it may live for four to five years, and the extensive tunnels it builds may be used by succeeding generations.