Understanding Garden Moles
Garden moles are fascinating creatures found in most gardens, especially in the UK. They belong to the Talpidae family and are commonly known as common moles or European moles. They are small, furry animals with sharp claws that help them dig underground tunnels. Garden moles are known for their powerful sense of smell and hearing, which helps them locate their prey. Their diet consists mainly of earthworms, grubs, and insects.
The Appearance of Garden Moles
Garden moles have a cylindrical body and short legs. Their front legs are wide and have sharp claws, while their hind legs are small and weak. They have a pointed snout and small eyes that are covered with fur, making them difficult to see. Garden moles have velvety fur that is usually black or dark brown.
The Habitat of Garden Moles
Garden moles are found in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America. They prefer moist soil and are most active during the spring and autumn months. Garden moles dig underground tunnels, creating a network of burrows that can reach up to 20 meters in length. They also create mounds of soil on the surface, which are a common sight in most gardens.
Garden Moles and Their Vision
Garden moles have small eyes that are covered in fur, leading many people to believe that they are blind. However, this is not entirely true. Garden moles do have eyes, but they are small and underdeveloped. Their eyes are not designed for vision, but rather to detect light and dark.
The Importance of Vision for Garden Moles
While garden moles do not rely on vision to navigate their underground tunnels, they do use their eyes to detect changes in light. This is important for garden moles, as it helps them determine the time of day and the seasons. Garden moles are also able to detect predators using their sense of smell and hearing, which are much more developed than their eyesight.
The Relationship Between Garden Moles and Humans
Garden moles are often seen as pests by gardeners, as they can cause damage to lawns and flower beds. They create unsightly mounds of soil on the surface, which can be difficult to remove. However, it is important to note that garden moles play an important role in the ecosystem. They help to aerate the soil and control the population of insects and other invertebrates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, garden moles are fascinating creatures that are often misunderstood. While they do have eyes, they are not designed for vision, but rather to detect changes in light. Garden moles play an important role in the ecosystem and should be respected and protected. By understanding more about garden moles, we can learn to appreciate their unique qualities and the important role they play in our gardens.