The Secret Life of Moles: What They're Up to Underground

3 days ago

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Moles build elaborate underground cities with designated areas for sleeping, food storage, waste disposal, and nurseries.
They can dig up to 18 feet of tunnel in an hour and create 150 feet of new tunnels in a single day.
Moles are nearly blind but navigate using highly sensitive touch and vibration detection, with snouts containing over 100,000 nerve fibers.
They maintain live food storage by paralyzing earthworms with toxins, keeping them fresh for weeks.
Moles are territorial loners, fighting viciously to defend their tunnel networks.
They consume their body weight in food daily, primarily earthworms, and can starve if they go more than 12 hours without eating.
Moles create sophisticated ventilation systems in their tunnels to ensure air circulation.
Their dense fur acts as a built-in heating system, repelling dirt and moisture while maintaining body temperature.
Tunnel systems include emergency escape routes and dead-end chambers for hiding from predators.
Mole activity alters soil chemistry, improving aeration and drainage while affecting nutrient levels.
They can hold their breath underwater for extended periods and are capable swimmers.
Moles communicate through seismic vibrations, sending messages via digging motions.
They are ecosystem engineers, influencing root growth, water drainage, and underground communities.

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