Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Eulipotyphla
- Family
- Talpidae
- Genus
- Talpa
Habitat
Blind moles inhabit underground burrows in moist, loose soils of Europe, from France to the Balkans. They prefer grasslands, meadows, and deciduous forests with ample invertebrates, avoiding dry or rocky terrains.
Diet
Blind moles primarily eat earthworms, which they detect and capture using their sensitive snouts while tunneling. They also consume insect larvae, beetles, and occasionally plant roots, feeding mostly at night or during twilight hours.
Behavior
Blind moles are solitary and territorial, defending their tunnel systems aggressively from intruders. They are fossorial, spending most of their time underground digging extensive networks for foraging and nesting, and are primarily active at night with keen senses of touch and smell. Males may travel above ground more during mating season, but they generally avoid surface exposure.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the blind mole is Least Concern, with a stable population trend across its range. Major threats include habitat loss from agricultural expansion and urbanization.