The European mole is silver grey to black in colour although Albino moles have been found. It moults twice a year in spring and autumn.. It has small ears with no external flaps and its eyes are also small and hidden in the fur. The tail is relatively short and covered in hairs. The adult weighs in between 70 and 100 gm.

Moles are solitary by nature and they are found through­out mainland Britain, Anglesey, Mull, Skye, the Isle of Wight, Alderney and Jersey but not in Ireland. Moles do not hibernate and are active all year round.

The mole creates these tunnels using their spade­-like forepaws. A mole digs its tunnels with alternate forepaws, with its body held against the existing tunnel walls with its hind limbs and inactive fore­limb. The soil is passed behind the mole’s body. Once a suitable amount accumulates, the mole turns in the tunnel and pushes the soil to the sur­face, creating either a new mole hill or contributing to an existing one.

Where grass is grown for silage, this rapidly deteri­orates if contaminated by earth from mole hills. The areas of the mole hill prevent grass from grow­ing and allow weeds to grow, leading to rapid dete­rioration of pasture land.

Stones brought to the surface by moles can dam­age the cutter bars of mowing machines and har­vesters.

Moles working under the roots of crops can cause the plants to either have stunted growth or to die due to soil drying out.

On race courses or gallops, the presence of moles is a danger to horse and rider. On lawns, playing fields or golf courses, they disfigure the areas allowing weeds to become established.