Worms form the staple diet of the mole, but besides underground insects of all kinds are greedily devoured. This animal is one of the most voracious feeders, falling ravenously upon its prey. It has been said with truth that so great is the ferocity displayed by the mole that if it could be magnified to the size of the lion it would be one of the most terrible of living creatures. That a constant supply of food is necessary to satiate its enormous appetite is shown by the fact that a mole will succumb to an abstinence of from ten to twelve hours. Moles fight among themselves furiously; and if two are confined together, the weaker will be attacked and devoured. They take readily to the water, and instances of moles observed in the act of crossing streams are numerous.
It is a curious fact, but the mole is unknown in Ireland; yet it ranges from England in the west through Asia to Japan.
Careful observation seems to have shown that with the common mole males are more numerous than females. Whether this is true of other species remains to be seen. The moles of North America form a group distinct from those of the Old World, though closely allied thereto. The Web-footed and the Star-nosed Moles are the most interesting of the American forms.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
COMMON MOLE.
Note that this mole is changing its coat.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Croydon.
COMMON MOLE.