Even young children know that this animal does not see anything. Older people know that the common mole is a soil mammal. In this article, we will consider how he lives, what he eats and what this small animal does.
The mole is ordinary. Description
Representatives of this species can live in the forest, field, steppe and in the meadow. Often found European or common (Talpa europaea). In the place of his habitat is always dark, therefore, he has no eyes. Although some individuals have small organs of vision, the only function of which is to distinguish light from darkness.
How did it initially become known that the common mole is a soil animal? Piles of soil on the surface of the earth prompted this idea of people. These are the so-called molehills. Watching them, and found this animal. Later, while studying it, a person determined that the mole had no vision. At the same time, other sensory organs are developed in the animal, making it possible to significantly use the sense of smell, touch and hearing. His ears are located inside.
Special constitution
The common mole is a small animal, only 10-20 centimeters in length. Behind his little body is a tail. Its length is 2 centimeters. In addition, the body structure also allows the mole to move underground without interference. Its skin is covered with a smooth, short coat, pleasant to the touch. It does not interfere with turning and backing away in dark passages, due to the fact that it grows up, and not in the direction back. Most often, the animal has black hair, although sometimes there are exceptions in the form of ash or brown shades. But still, the fur is not safe from damage. After all, the mole has to move in a cramped space.
Return stroke
In order to restore hairline in time, these animals molt 3-4 times a year. They grow in the most beautiful fur after autumn molt, which begins at the end of October. In winter, it grows taller and denser, and in summer “relief” comes again and the coat becomes shorter and less frequent. The muzzle of the animal is elongated and covered with sensitive hairs.
It is known that an ordinary mole can “walk” backwards. He has this opportunity thanks to the vibrissae growing on a tail. He has a special tool to facilitate movement. An ordinary mole digs underground moves using its paws. If you look closer, you can see that they are wide, powerful, equipped with strong claws. With these "shovels" the mole also works, moving in endless underground tunnels.
Prose of life
Moles sleep several times a day: for 2-3 hours. In winter, they do not hibernate, but move in deep, frost-free layers of soil. It would seem that underground moles are not in danger. But this is not so. At that moment when he appears at the surface of the earth, throwing out excess soil, martens, foxes, birds of prey can grab him. Although they do this only when it is not possible to get other food. Because the smell of a mole is unpleasant to other animals. In addition, various diseases and parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and worms, are dangerous to them. In favorable conditions, these animals live 3-5 years. Moles get along badly among themselves. They fight for the territory, do not live in families and do not hesitate to eat their friend, after his death.
Nutrition
The mole is called a pest, because, moving underground in the gardens, it bites the roots of plants, which then die. But it is a mistake to think that this animal eats greens. He is far from a herbivore. What does an ordinary mole eat ? He is an insectivore. The mole eats all the representatives of invertebrates that come across on its way: mollusks, larvae, worms, slugs, millipedes, wood lice. It happens that he gets lizards, mice and frogs. This kid is a terrible glutton. This is not surprising, because small mammals have to eat a lot to maintain the warmth of their body. On a day, he consumes an amount of food equal to his weight (60-100 grams). In winter, he eats what he managed to stock.
Increase in numbers
The common mole seeks to leave offspring, like any other creature on our planet. For this purpose, the male mates with the female. This usually happens in March or April. After a month, the female brings offspring in the amount of 4 to 9 cubs. Initially, they are not covered with wool, are very small and need constant care. Therefore, the mother is next to them until the moles reach the age of 1.5 months.
Mole's house
This animal not only creeps underground. He equips himself with a house that is covered with dry grass. In addition, the purpose of the moves that the mole makes is different. One he makes his way to the watering hole, feed and his nest, while others serve as traps for insects and invertebrates. An ordinary mole arranges for itself a house at a depth of 1.5-2 meters. Most often, housing will be located between the roots or under buildings. There are no restrictions on the depth of moves that add up to a multi-tiered system. If the soil is loose, then the mole can go down 100 meters. The “corridors” dug by him are preserved for a long time. If they are not destroyed by other animals or people, several generations of moles can live in them.
These animals work with their paws at high speed, so there are a lot of winding moves underground. An obstacle for them is the "heavy" soil. Mole is especially bad during a drought. He may even die if he cannot crawl through a shriveled area of soil. Mole traps for future food are shallow. Interestingly, its smell, which repels predators, attracts worms. They crawl into the moves made by him, where they are usually eaten. Other animals, such as mice, also use moleholes. And shrews often penetrate feed passages specifically to eat worms.
Do they need nature and people?
If such an animal exists, it means there is some benefit from it. Not everyone can determine what it consists of. Especially those who have summer cottages or live in their own home. Such people know that the mole is a pest. When making moves, he damages plants that may die. Molehills spoil the appearance of lawns and lawns. The amount of earthworms useful to the soil decreases from their activity. The owners are trying to get rid of such an unpleasant neighborhood. For this, both modern and folk remedies are used, they try to do everything so that the mole leaves their site. But at the same time, this animal eats pests and loosens the soil. So, there is still some benefit from it. The main thing is that he worked away from the household plots.
It is hard to imagine who could have come up with the idea to sew a fur coat from molehill fur. Probably, the creator of the first such product was prompted by the softness and silkiness of the animal’s hair. Yes, such fur coats look attractive, unusual and exclusive. But they are expensive. Other products are also made of such fur. We can say that in this way a man takes revenge on the mole for damaged gardens.