Star nosed mole!!?!!

[alrak]

Please Help!

I sighted a mole in Devon in early June last year and have been unable to identify. Unfortunately I didn't have a camera, but did manage to show the children. I will give the fullest discription I can and I would really welcome some insight on what this was. The closest I've come is to the star nosed mole, which is not found in this country at all (I don't think), but I haven't been able to get a full description of those so can not be sure.

Description: length of body: about 15cm (much larger than an average mole). Skin:smooth, glossy looking with a grey/sliver back. Paws:large, paddle like. Nose:had tenticle splay (unsure how many). Tail:had a visable one, looked rat like from a distance, was too interested in the front end when got closer.


Location: South Devon , close to coast, very near costal wetland area.


Any sensible suggestions would be greatfully recieved.

Karla

[aeshna5]

There is only one species of mole- the European Mole, Talpa europaea, naturally occurring in the UK + 15cm is within the length of this species (10-16.5 cm + up to c.0.5cm tail).

I can't imagine there are many people who keep exotic species of mole in captivity, so the escape of an alien species seems unlikely.

[alrak]

Thank you Aeshna5,

you can see my problem in trying to understand what I saw. It can't be that it was a star nosed mole, can it? People wouldn't be able to keep them as pets and I can think of no way for it to arrive at our shores. Are star nosed moles that size and colouring?

Having trawled through pictures of moles, I know the European is definitely not the one. Its tail was visibly longer also there was no mistaking the nose, with its anemone like tentacles. We were able to see it up close as it hid between the paving slabs that had not yet been sanded. We left it alone so as not to scare it deeper underneath for fear of it being trapped and turned into part of the foundations.

I am happy that there were witnesses, as am finding it difficult to believe myself and to come to any plausible conclusions.

Please, please, any other possible suggestions?


.

[Dogghound]

There are three species of mole in Europe none sound like yours. If it has that nose then it clearly is the said species. Anything can turn up anywhere. Although it does seem very unlikely. Can you get a photo?

[alrak]

Thank you.

Will be down there quite frequently so will always live in hope of seeing it again. This time camera in hand. Will be interesting if any other sitings come up over the next few years.

Karla

[davecatt]

I Alrak
Heres a couple of links that may help.

Though your description is spot on for the Star nosed mole and it does live in the sort of habitat you described, it is native to North America. The fact that it was found in its natural environment (despite it being the wrong side of the Atlantic), would suggest it was deliberately released.

Star-nosed mole | Condylura cristata facts

BBC - Wildlife Finder - Star-nosed mole (video, facts and news)

Dave

[fairplay]

Hi Karla,

Do you have any US Air Bases near where you live.
I would imagine all servicemen and their families would be told what they can and cannot bring to the UK - so escaped pet mole ?
No, forget it, as these would never make good pets anyway and would be illegal.

Neil.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by fairplay

Hi Karla,

Do you have any US Air Bases near where you live.
I would imagine all servicemen and their families would be told what they can and cannot bring to the UK - so escaped pet mole ?
No, forget it, as these would never make good pets anyway and would be illegal.

Neil.

Have to agree + can't imagine any species of mole being kept as a pet. After a search I can't find any for sale!

[jeremiah]

No US bases in South Devon now, but there were thousands of American soldiers there 60-odd years ago, so your mole could be part of a long-surviving group.

Alternatively it could have escaped / been half inched from a local zoo (Paignton?).