newtownrrt.org – Moles are fascinating subterranean creatures known for their tunneling activities and insectivorous diet. Despite spending most of their lives underground, moles play a crucial role in controlling insect populations and aerating the soil. Understanding what moles eat is essential for their care in captivity, as well as for managing them in gardens and agricultural settings. This article will explore the typical diet of moles, their feeding behavior, and how to provide for them in captivity.
1. The Diet of Moles: Insectivores of the Soil
Moles are primarily insectivores, meaning they feed mainly on insects and other invertebrates found in the soil. Their sharp claws and powerful digging abilities allow them to hunt underground, where they consume a variety of invertebrates. Their diet provides the protein and fat necessary for maintaining their energy levels, especially since moles are highly active diggers.
Common Food Sources for Moles:
- Earthworms: Earthworms are a primary food source for moles and make up a significant portion of their diet.
- Grubs: Moles often feed on beetle larvae, including the larvae of Japanese beetles and other garden pests.
- Insects and insect larvae: Ants, termites, and other insects living in the soil are also part of a mole’s diet.
- Millipedes and centipedes: These invertebrates are often found in the soil and consumed by moles.
- Slugs and snails: Soft-bodied invertebrates like slugs and snails can be part of a mole’s diet, especially in wetter environments.
Moles are well-adapted to finding these underground creatures, relying on their highly developed sense of smell and touch to detect prey.
2. Earthworms: The Staple of a Mole’s Diet
Earthworms are by far the most important food for moles. They provide a rich source of protein and fat, which is crucial for the mole’s energy-intensive lifestyle of digging and tunneling. Moles actively dig through soil, creating complex tunnel systems to find and catch earthworms.
How Moles Hunt Earthworms:
- Tunneling traps: As moles dig their tunnels, earthworms and other invertebrates fall into these tunnels, where they are quickly consumed.
- Burrowing through worm-rich soil: Moles prefer to tunnel through moist, loose soil that is rich in earthworms, especially after rain when worms come closer to the surface.
Moles often store live earthworms for later consumption, biting into them to immobilize them but keeping them alive underground.
3. Grubs and Insect Larvae: A Protein-Rich Food Source
In addition to earthworms, moles frequently consume insect larvae or grubs, which are found within the soil. These larvae are rich in protein and fat, making them a valuable food source for moles.
Common Grubs Eaten by Moles:
- Japanese beetle larvae: These are a common grub found in gardens, and moles help control their populations by feeding on them.
- June bug larvae: Another garden pest, these grubs are often found by moles digging through lawns.
- Other beetle larvae: Moles feed on various types of beetle larvae that live in the soil, contributing to natural pest control.
Moles’ appetite for grubs and larvae is beneficial for garden health, as they help reduce pest populations that can damage plants and crops.
4. Insects and Other Invertebrates
Moles also eat a variety of other insects and invertebrates that live in the soil. This includes ants, termites, millipedes, centipedes, and even small spiders. While these creatures may not be the primary part of a mole’s diet, they are important supplements that provide additional nutrition.
Common Invertebrates Consumed by Moles:
- Ants and termites: Insects that live in colonies underground are easy prey for moles.
- Millipedes and centipedes: Found in decaying organic matter, these invertebrates are also consumed by moles.
While hunting for these creatures, moles help aerate the soil and reduce populations of harmful pests.
5. Feeding Moles in Captivity
If caring for moles in captivity, it is important to provide them with a diet that replicates their natural food sources as closely as possible. Insectivorous diets rich in earthworms and other soil-dwelling invertebrates are essential.
Common Foods for Captive Moles:
- Earthworms: The most critical food for moles, readily available from bait shops or online.
- Mealworms and waxworms: In captivity, moles can also be fed mealworms and waxworms, which provide similar nutrition.
- Grubs: You can purchase or collect grubs to feed moles in captivity.
- Insectivorous diet supplements: Some pet stores offer commercial insectivore diets, which can help provide balanced nutrition.
Moles need frequent feeding due to their high energy demands. In captivity, they should be fed multiple times a day, and food should be spread out across their enclosure to encourage their natural foraging behavior.
6. Hydration: Water Requirements for Moles
Moles obtain most of their water from their food, particularly from the moisture-rich earthworms they consume. However, in captivity, it is important to provide fresh water in a shallow dish to ensure they remain hydrated.
7. Feeding Behavior and Tunneling Habits
Moles are solitary animals that spend most of their lives digging and foraging underground. Their tunnel systems serve both as homes and hunting grounds, and they are constantly expanding these tunnels in search of food. In the wild, moles can dig extensive networks, creating tunnels that may span several meters.
Feeding Behavior:
- Active foraging: Moles are active foragers and will dig continuously to find food.
- Day and night activity: Moles do not follow strict nocturnal or diurnal patterns, often being active throughout the day and night.
- Constant eating: Due to their high metabolism, moles need to eat frequently to sustain their energy levels.
In captivity, providing opportunities for moles to dig and forage will help them maintain their natural behaviors and health.
8. Managing Moles in Gardens
While moles play a beneficial role in controlling insect populations and aerating the soil, their tunneling can sometimes be a nuisance in gardens or lawns. Understanding their diet can help gardeners manage mole populations effectively.
Ways to Manage Moles:
- Natural mole deterrents: Moles can be deterred from certain areas by reducing their food sources, such as grubs and larvae, through the use of beneficial nematodes or other organic pest control methods.
- Live trapping and relocation: In some cases, moles can be trapped and relocated to areas where their tunneling will be less of a problem.
9. Conclusion
Moles are efficient hunters that thrive on a diet rich in earthworms, grubs, and other soil-dwelling invertebrates. Their insectivorous feeding habits make them beneficial for controlling garden pests, though their tunneling can sometimes cause issues in lawns. Whether in the wild or captivity, moles require frequent feeding and access to a variety of invertebrates to meet their high energy demands. Understanding what moles eat and how they forage can help both in managing mole populations and in caring for them in captivity.