Identification

Weight: 1.8-4.2 oz/1.4-2.7 oz ..
Diet: Carnivorous, earthworms, grubs and other insects/ aquatic insects, earth worms, snails etc.
Habitat: Woods with well drained soil/year round but they go deep during cold weather/ In contrast to the Eastern Mole, Star Nose Moles prefer wet soil.
Activity: Moles will dig at all times of the day because their activity is not governed by the sun/ Same. Moles do not hibernate. Note the damage to the lawn in the photo at right. This was done during the winter when moles were digging under the snow.
Procreation: Breeding occurs in March-April. 2-5 young are born which leave the next four weeks later.! Mating occurs in March-April and 3-7 young are born 45 days later.
Symptoms: Owner will complain of soft mushy grass or will identify trails.! Owner will find erratic burrows on the ground.
Signs: Avg. Hole Size: moles rarely come to the surface. The tunnels they dig tend to be about one inch in diameter.! More likely to come to the surface than Eastern moles. Their tunnel holes are about one inch wide as well.

Damage and Damage Identification

Damage to house: None/Same

Lawn/Garden: Moles damage the grass by separating the roots of the grass from the soil beneath it (Top photo is surface tunnel). They have no interest in the eating grass or plants. All they want is the food in the ground. If the owner complains of food missing from the garden, it is not because of the mole. The owner may also complain of dirt boils that have emerged on the grass. These are caused by moles bringing soil to the surface because the tunnel is too deep to push the excess dirt above them. Avg. boil size is about 8 inches across. These boils will also be found when the mole digs under driveways or heavy objects.! Star-nose moles burrow more erratically than eastern moles. You may find push-ups spotted with dirt boils. See photo at right.

Feces: If you find some you have found a rare item indeed/Same size as mice.