A large mole of Pacific Northwest habitats. Largest US mole.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Townsend's mole is a fossorial mammal in the family Talpidae, and is the largest North American mole. It was named after the American naturalist John Kirk Townsend. The name was selected at the request of Thomas Nuttall as a patronym to honor Townsend's contribution.
Source: Wikipedia — Townsend's mole Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Large dark gray-brown mole; large flat shovel-shaped front paws; short tail.
Similar species. Eastern Mole (different range; smaller). Western Mole (smaller; different shape).
Voice. Generally silent.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Earthworms, insect larvae, occasional plant matter.
Behavior. Largest mole in North America. Extensive tunnel systems can damage lawns and pastures.
§ Range
Pacific Northwest
§ Habitat
Wet meadows, gardens
§ Threats
Habitat loss.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the townsend's mole is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Tolerate moles.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Townsend's mole
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Scapanus townsendii
- IUCN Red List · taxon 41472
- iNaturalist · taxon 42953
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Scapanus townsendii
§ Sources cited
- American Society of Mammalogists
- Oregon State University
- IUCN Red List 2016
