Moles are from the family Talpidae which includes moles, desmans, and shrew-moles. The North American moles or New World moles are divided into the Subfamily Talpinae and of this group there are six moles on the continent, seven if you count the shrew-mole. All are insectivores and related on this continent only to the shrew. Parascalops breweri - Scapanus latimus - Scapanus orarius - Scapanus townsendi Scalopus aquaticus - Condylura cristata .
All moles can be damaging but Scalopus aquaticus or Eastern mole is by far the most widespread of the six. It is better described as the common or grey mole. It is the strongest of the group and is most often associated with tunnels and or mole mounds by residential homeowners. The Eastern can be found from the Atlantic to the foothills of the Rockies and from Southern Canada to the panhandle of Florida. Moles are covered by a soft grey pelage that is hinged to allow it to move in any direction. Variation in color is common with patches of orange or white on some moles. Moles are about the size of chipmunks and can weigh anywhere from three to six ounces. Total length can be six to eight inches. Moles have one litter each year. Litter size can be two to six depending on the health of the female. Gestation lasts about five to six weeks which means you can expect litters anywhere from mid April through May. Moles are mammals and nurse the young moles for several weeks. Young moles will disperse (newborn expanding off the mother's tunnel system or moving above ground to create or find new tunnels for their own use) from late April through mid June. The final dispersal can last through late fall and early winter. Since moles don't hibernate (they store neither food nor fat) final dispersal can result in severe lawn damage until the lawn surface freezes in winter. Newborn females will mate the following spring and the cycle begins anew.
