Eastern mole

The eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is a burrowing mammal native to eastern North America. Its enlarged forelimbs and strong shoulders power underground digging.

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Mole (animal): Moles are small mammals adapted to spend much of their lives underground, usually digging with powerful forelimbs. The eastern mole is one species within this group of specialized subterranean mammals.
Mole forelimb: A mole forelimb is a short, powerful limb oriented to push soil during excavation. The eastern mole's broad forelimbs and claws drive its rapid tunnel digging.
Lawn: A lawn is an area of closely mown grass maintained around homes, parks, or other buildings. Tunnels and raised ridges can disrupt lawns where eastern moles forage.
Star-nosed mole: The star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) is a North American mole distinguished by 22 fleshy projections around its nose. It is another North American mole, but its distinctive sensory appendages and habits differ from the eastern mole.
Scalopus aquaticus: Scalopus aquaticus is the scientific name of the eastern mole, a North American species in the family Talpidae. This binomial identifies the species discussed on this page.
Talpidae: Talpidae is the mammal family that includes moles, desmans, and the star-nosed mole. This family places the eastern mole among its closest living relatives.
Mole claw: A mole claw is a strong, curved digit tip used to loosen and move soil. Its long foreclaws help break soil ahead of the animal as it tunnels.
Soil ecosystem: A soil ecosystem is the community of organisms and physical processes interacting within soil. The eastern mole is both a predator and a soil-disturbing animal within this ecosystem.
Hairy-tailed mole: The hairy-tailed mole (Parascalops breweri) is a North American mole with a conspicuous hairy tail. It overlaps parts of the eastern mole's range and is another regional burrowing mammal.
Animalia: Animalia is the biological kingdom comprising multicellular organisms that obtain energy by consuming organic material. The eastern mole is an animal within this broad biological kingdom.