Moles
Mole
The mole is a small, dark brown, furry, insect-eating mammal. Contrary to a commonly held belief, it is not part of the rodent family. In California, moles inhabit the Sierra Nevada, the coastal range mountains and foothills, as well as the entire coastal zone. They are not usually found in the dry southeastern regions of the state or in much of the Central Valley except for moist areas where the soil is rich in humus, such as riverbanks. Moles have cylindrical bodies with slender, pointed snouts, and short, bare, or sparsely haired tails. Their limbs are short and spadelike. Their eyes are poorly developed and their ears are not visible. The fur is short, dense, and velvety. Moles have one litter of three or four young during early spring.
