The Mole is a small mammal that is also known as the ‘little gentleman in black’. It is very rarely seen, but its molehills are a familiar sight in meadows, grassland, fields and even large gardens throughout the country. It spends most of its time on its own digging tunnels underground and creating mole hills where it pushes freshly dug soil to the surface.

The Mole has a grey-black velvety fur and has very large shovel-like hands with claws which are used for digging up earth. It has a small round body without a neck. It also has a pink snout, very small ears and tiny eyes the size of a pinhead. Its tail is short and furry and always held upright.

Moles build burrows underground which have networks of tunnels. Some tunnels are dug just beneath the surface and these tunnels are used to find food such as earthworms. Moles also eat slugs, snails, frogs and little mice. Other tunnels are deeper in the ground and they are used to rest in when it is very cold outside. Moles build nest chambers in the centre of their burrows which are used to raise their young and to sleep in.