Have you heard about animals like Mole? Wondering if you can keep a Mole as a pet?
If you are native to or have been to any rural parts of North America and Europe, you might be familiar with Moles. They may be viewed as pests to gardeners due to multiple benefits.
Moles provide positive contributions to soil, gardens, and ecosystem and thus are quite precious for gardeners and farmers.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can or should domesticate Moles like dogs and cats. Why? Come let’s find out the answer for the same.
Contents
What is a Mole? Introduction
A Mole is a burrowing mammal and a species of insectivorous. It is found in most parts of North America, Europe, and Asia and is adapted to a Subterranean lifestyle.
Moles are known for aggressive burrowing; thus, they spend most of their life underground. They may have poor vision but an acute sense of touching and hearing.
While some gardeners view them as pests, they actually are good for soil health. Moles eat creatures that eat plant roots and aid in soil aeration as well.
Moles have cylindrical bodies with short, stocky limbs and small tails. They have 42 subspecies; however, a lot of them lack external ears.
Though Moles mostly are brown and black in color, they have weird pinkish hands. Their human baby-like hands even have an extra thumb next to the common thumb.
History of Moles
Moles, the shrew-like animals, have a long evolution history. Their existence during the Oligocene Epoch (33.7 to 23.8 million years ago) of Asia and the Late Oligocene Epoch (28.5 to 23.8 million years ago) of North America.
However, their species probably evolved in the Eocene Epoch of Europe nearly 54.8 to 33.7 million years ago.
Later they spread out over a similar region and its neighborhood over the ensuing millions of years.
Moles Species Overview
| Name | Mole |
| Other Names | Boars (Male), Sows (Female), and Labour (Group) |
| Scientific Names | Talpidae |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Soricomorpha |
| Family | Talpidae |
| Life Span | 3 to 6 years |
| Size | Length and Mass12 cm to 21 cm and 250 grams to 550 grams |
Do Moles make a good pet?
To many animal enthusiasts, Moles appear as cute and fascinating creatures. However, in reality, they do not make a very good pet. And one of the most common reasons for that is their least interest in any interaction.
Moles love spending most of their time underground in search of food. They even can’t make it in light for very long. Thus, even if you have them as a pet, it is very less likely that you will see them easily for weeks.
Besides that, Moles require eating every one hour, and they can feed on worms half of their body size.
Providing such conditions is slightly tricky for several individuals. But still, even if you can, Moles won’t give anything back in the name of bond, admiration, or even much of their glimpse. Therefore, individuals who ever have had Moles as pets consider them a bad one.
Is it legal to keep Mole as a pet?
Well, there are no laws for possessing, keeping, trading, or transporting animals like Mole. Though they are counted among the exotic creatures, there are not many laws regarding them.
However, a subspecies of Moles, known as Golden Mole, isn’t legal as pets or for hunting in many parts of the world.
Native to South Africa, Golden Moles are critically endangered and possibly extinct. Its been over five decades now that only a few of them are seen it.
Are Moles legal in the U.S.?
The legal status of Moles in the United States is slightly conflicting. Since a lot of their subspecies are common in North America, you might find them in U.S. households. If not as pets, Moles are common in American households as garden pests.
Moles are unclassified in the U.S, and people may trap or kill them when found invading their property.
In Washington state, laws encourage killing Moles; however, trapping them (for killing) is restricted. Whereas in Washington, D.C., where Moles are known as a non-commensal species, killing them is not allowed.
Can you have Moles as pets?
Moles can’t take the stress of living for long above the ground, and thus it is better to not domesticate them. When kept in captivity, away from their natural habitat, Moles would likely die within hours.
The stress of captivity also lessens their lifespan from 3 to 6 years and limits it to no more than 1 to 2 years. Thus, even if it is legal or Moles are easily available in your area, it is better not to domesticate them.
Pet Moles- You have to meet their needs
Mole Housing Needs
Open, soiled space is the best habitat you can provide to a pet mole. Though many individuals house them in Glass terrariums with a soil base, that doesn’t give the best comfort.
Instead, prepare a small separate section covering it from all five sides in your garden or backyard. Since Moles love spending their lifetime in the dark, covering all the light sources is better.
Mole Temperature and Humidity Needs
Moles are present in every continent except Antarctica (and South America), and thus they can adapt to different climates. However, since they prefer a colder climate, ensure that their enclosure isn’t heating from inside.
For that, you can either build their habitat in the shade under trees or prepare a similar soil environment somewhere indoors. Besides that, maintain relative humidity at 50% to 60%.
Mole Dietary Needs
Moles are insectivorous and feed on insects like shrews, hedgehogs, anteaters, and armadillos.
They eat insects found on the ground, like earthworms, grubs, and ants in their natural habitat.
In captivity, you can feed them a mix of all these insects, small fish, and amphibians.
Mole Cleaning Needs
Moles are one of the least demanding animals; one doesn’t have to worry about cleaning them or their waste.
Common Health Problems with Moles
Though there’s not much known about health issues regarding Moles, they can possibly carry Rabbies.
They may also likely spread fleas or ticks to humans or pets.
How Much Does a Mole Cost?
The cost of a Mole is unknown since there are none of them available for sale. Since Moles invade residential properties, individuals can easily have them.
There are very least chances that one might have to step out and buy a Mole.
Instead, households in areas where Moles are common often pay for getting Moles removed from their property.
Professionals charge anywhere between $100 to $500 for the same.
Where to buy a Mole? Where to find a Mole breeder?
Since there are no Moles for sale, you can’t actually buy.
Neither is there any breeder in the United States who sell baby or adult Moles to individuals like that?
Even, it is very less likely for breeders to actually breed Moles successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common mole animal?
Of over 42 Mole species, Eastern Mole, Star Nosed Mole, and Shrew Moles are the most common ones.
Are moles aggressive animals?
Moles are not aggressive; all they care about is living peacefully underground. It is less likely for them to contact any other animal than ones from their own species.
Can you hold a mole?
Holding a Mole isn’t a great idea since they may panic unless their teeth bite you harshly.
Are moles poisonous?
Though moles aren’t poisonous, only the European mole species is known for possessing some venom.
Wrapping up…
Can I own a pet, Mole? Moles are wild animals, and it is better to let them survive on their own in the wild.
They can prove one of the worst animals to domesticate and wouldn’t likely make it long in captivity.
Thus instead of experimenting with a pet living with them, it is better to choose other animals that are meant for the same.