Family: Talpidae, Moles view all from this family

Description Velvety black fur. Nearly naked tail. Naked pink snout. Eyes tiny but visible. Unicuspid teeth evenly spaced and uncrowded. L 5 3/4-6 7/8" (147-175 mm); T 1-1 5/8" (26-43 mm); HF 3/4" (19-23 mm).

Similar Species Townsend's Mole is much larger, with unevenly spaced, crowded unicuspids. Broad-footed Mole is brownish or grayish.

Breeding Mates January-March. 1 litter per year around mid-April, averaging 4 young (younger females may have only 2 or 3).

Habitat Moist deciduous woods.

Range Southwestern British Columbia south through w Washington and coastal Oregon and n California. Also n Oregon, se Washington, and wc Idaho.

Discussion This mole's inky fur is a good example of the frequent correlation in mammals between moist habitat and dark coloration. Earthworms are its main food, but it also eats insects, centipedes, snails, slugs, and some vegetation. The Coast Mole's nests are built in an underground cavity about 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter that is lined with grass. Nests have several entrances.