THE COMMON MOLE. 



By THEO. H. SCHEFFER. 



SUMMARY. 



1. There seems to be but a single species of mole in Kansas. 

 It is common in the eastern half of the state and abundant in 

 the eastern third. In western Kansas the mole is entirely ab- 

 sent or found only occasionally along the watercourses. 



2. The mole is not a social animal, being condemned to a 

 solitary existence by the conditions under which he lives. 

 Moles come out of the seclusion of their underground burrows 

 only occasionally, as if by accident. 



3. The mole's system of runways threads the soil every- 

 where in well watered regions. There are two parts to the 

 system the deeper burrows or highways leading to small 

 underground chambers, and the shallow surface ridges ranging 

 over the hunting grounds. 



4. The mole thrives best in a loose, moist soil abounding in 

 grubs and earthworms. It therefore frequents fields and woods 

 shaded by vegetation, but is not able to maintain existence in 

 the hard, compact soil of semiarid regions. 



5. The mole does not hibernate, but is more or less active 

 at all seasons of the year. During the rainy periods of sum- 

 mer his work is pushed the most vigorously. 



6. The young of the mole are produced within a period of 

 three to five weeks, mainly in March and early April. They 

 number from three to five. 



7. The labyrinth of tunnels constructed by the mole serves 

 as passageways for several species of mice, which are alone 

 responsible for most of the damage to seeds, roots, and tubers 

 encountered in the soil. 



8. The diet of moles consists almost exclusively of the vari- 

 ous insects, grubs and worms to be found in the soil. The 

 amount of vegetable substance found in stomach examinations 

 is usually no more than might have been taken in incidental to 

 the ingestion of other food. 



