Moles are insectivorous mammals known for their subterranean lifestyle, and their diet primarily consists of insects and invertebrates. They are expert diggers and have specialized adaptations for their underground foraging habits. Here is what moles eat:
Insects: Moles are voracious insect-eaters. They consume a wide variety of insects, including earthworms, beetles, ants, grubs, and caterpillars. Their keen sense of smell and touch helps them detect the presence of these underground arthropods.
Earthworms: Earthworms are a staple in the mole's diet, comprising a significant portion of their food intake. Moles are well-equipped to detect earthworm vibrations in the soil and tunnel to capture them.
Larvae and Pupae: Moles also prey on the larvae and pupae of insects, such as those of beetles and flies. These immature insects are found in the soil and make a nutritious food source for moles.
Small Invertebrates: Moles may consume a range of other small invertebrates like snails, centipedes, and spiders when encountered during their burrowing activities.
Amphibians and Reptiles: On occasion, moles may consume small amphibians or reptiles that venture into their tunnels. This happens infrequently and is not a primary food source.
Seeds and Plant Matter: While moles are primarily carnivorous, there is some evidence to suggest that they may occasionally ingest seeds, roots, or plant material found in the soil, but this is a small part of their diet.
Moles are not rodents; they are insectivores. They are well-adapted for a subterranean lifestyle, with strong limbs and specialized paws for digging tunnels and capturing their prey. Their diet is focused on the small creatures they find in the soil, which provides them with the energy and nutrients they need to sustain their underground existence.
Do Moles Eat Worms?
Yes, moles do indeed eat earthworms. Earthworms are a primary and essential component of a mole's diet. Moles are highly skilled at locating and capturing earthworms in the soil. They have specialized adaptations that make them proficient hunters of earthworms.
Moles use their keen sense of smell and touch to detect the vibrations and movements of earthworms as they burrow through the ground. When a mole senses an earthworm nearby, it will quickly dig through the soil to capture and consume it. Earthworms provide moles with a valuable source of nutrition, and they are considered a staple food in a mole's diet.
In addition to earthworms, moles also consume various other insects and invertebrates they find while tunneling underground, but earthworms are a particularly significant and favored prey for these small subterranean mammals.
Do Moles Eat Grubs?
Yes, moles do eat grubs. Grubs are the larvae of certain beetles, and they are a part of the mole's diet, along with other insects and invertebrates. Moles are skilled predators when it comes to finding and capturing grubs in the soil.
Moles use their highly sensitive sense of touch and acute hearing to locate grubs and other underground prey. When they detect the presence of grubs or their movements, they will tunnel through the soil to reach and consume them. Grubs are a good source of protein and nutrition for moles, making them an important component of their diet.
In addition to grubs, moles also consume earthworms, ants, beetles, caterpillars, and a variety of other invertebrates found in the soil. Their adaptions for digging and hunting make them effective insectivores, allowing them to thrive in their subterranean habitat.
Do Moles Eat Plants?
Moles are primarily insectivores, and their diet primarily consists of insects and invertebrates. While their primary source of food is found underground, there is limited evidence to suggest that moles may occasionally ingest plant material. However, plant matter is not a significant or primary part of their diet. Moles are more renowned for their consumption of earthworms, grubs, insects, and small invertebrates that they find in the soil.
The occasional consumption of plant material may occur if a mole comes across roots or seeds while tunneling through the soil. However, this is a minor aspect of their diet and not a fundamental source of sustenance. Moles are well-adapted for a subterranean lifestyle and are primarily carnivorous, relying on the rich source of protein and nutrients provided by the various underground insects and invertebrates they capture.
What Do Moles Eat In Your Yard?
In yards, moles primarily feed on a variety of underground invertebrates and insects. The most common things that moles eat in yards include:
Earthworms: Earthworms are a staple in a mole's diet. Moles are skilled at locating and capturing earthworms as they tunnel through the soil.
Grubs: Moles feed on the larvae of beetles, known as grubs. Grubs are often found in the soil and provide moles with a good source of nutrition.
Insects: Moles consume a range of insects, including ants, beetles, caterpillars, and other small invertebrates they come across while tunneling.
Small Invertebrates: Moles may eat various other small invertebrates, such as snails, centipedes, and spiders, if they encounter them during their burrowing activities.
While moles are primarily insectivores, their feeding habits can vary based on the availability of prey in a specific location. Yards with healthy populations of earthworms and grubs may be more attractive to moles, as these are preferred food sources. Controlling mole activity in yards may involve managing the population of their primary food sources, like grubs, to reduce their presence.