Mole (Talpa europaea)
	Description	Black or very dark brown fur like velvet. Tiny eyes, pink nose and forepaws adapted for digging. Head and body length between 113-159mm and weights in the range 72-128g. Males are larger than females.
	Life cycle	Moles have a mean life span of 3 years. Males live separately from females. A litter of 3-4 offspring is born in the spring. Weaning takes place at 5-6 weeks and individuals are sexually mature the following year.
	Habitat	Present in most habitats that allow them to burrow and have food available. Moles excavate an extensive system of tunnels hundreds of meters long, which are often used by successive generations. The tunnels are used for food collection and storage together with nesting and sleeping. Moles need to eat more than half their body weight every day and will store crippled worms as live food in underground chambers.
	Diet	Mainly earthworms but will take insect larvae.
	Status
	Reserve	Moles are resident on the reserve.
	Britain	Pre-breeding population estimated at 31,000,000.