Mole

[Beekeeper]

My dog discovered a dead mole on our walk this afternoon lying on the ground near some bramble bushes.
I do know moles will sometimes come to the surface whether intentionaly or otherwise i am not sure.

What i cannot understand is how it died above ground, it seemed uninjured as far as i could tell as my first thoughts were maybe another dog found it and killed it, other than that there are no other animals i can think of which would have attacked it.

The other thing i was wondering is would it have died below ground and been ejected by other moles?

Ian

[thunder]

I have found Moles dead above ground in hot, dry weather. It may be that they come to the surface because the ground is too hard to dig and then they succumb to the heat and lack of water

henrya

[Kayleigh]

I saw a dead one above ground in Cornwall I think it was flooded out with the rain we had that year.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I saw a dead one above ground in Cornwall I think it was flooded out with the rain we had that year.

I wish people wouldn't use unusual words without explaining them! What is this 'rain' of which you speak, Kayleigh?

henrya

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by thunder

I wish people wouldn't use unusual words without explaining them! What is this 'rain' of which you speak, Kayleigh?

henrya

Go to St Ives in Cornwall and you will know what rain is..

[STYRBJORN]

I was once going for a walk with my daughter and we saw a mole lying dead just outside its hill. Upon inspection its throat had been bitten open. We were puzzled, to say the least, by this. The conclusion we reached was that it had lost a fight for a female. Nature red in tooth and claw!

[The Woodman]

Just a note about dead moles, probably me being overcautious but it's best to be aware all the same.

The use of strychnine has now been banned for mole extermination but there will probably be some still out there. Several dogs and other animals have been killed by eating moles killed with this chemical. It degrades very slowly.

The new gas pellet injection method of control should be safer but I always give dead moles a bit of respect.

I think thunder's hit the nail on the head with the dry weather explanation also kayleigh's right with the flooding scenario although moles are very good swimmers.

[Beekeeper]

Many thanks for replies folks, I reckon that Thunder may well be right, i didn't think of that. Thanks Thunder

The mole was on open forest The Woodman so it would definitely not have been poisoned but that is always something to consider, always better safe than sorry.

Ian

[Dogs]

Hi there,

this is the time of year when juvenile moles will be leaving their mothers tunnel system, and setting out on their own. June and July are the most common times to find moles above ground, either dead or alive. They are fully grown, so not recognisable as young. And unfortunately in dry conditions, as many as 80-90 % can die. However in wetter conditions, that allow the young moles to create their own tunnel systems (which provide their food), more will survive to adulthood.

all the best

D

[Beekeeper]

Many thanks for additional info Dogs, the life of the Mole to most including me is a mystery it seems, i suppose mainly due to the fact they live underground out of sight and mind.

I always think of them as beautiful little creatures, one day i found one above ground which i eventually returned to its underground habitat but i had a close look at him or her before doing so, the power of their front legs is amazing, although i was holding it in cupped hands the Mole actually pushed my hands apart and it took a fair bit of strength to keep it from escaping, their coat is so silky smooth almost like velvet it seems a shame they live underground as they should be enjoyed by everyone, one of the most innofensive creatures you could ever find.

Ian