Aug. 1910.] 



The Common Mole. 



3 



DESCRIPTION AND DISTRIBUTION. 



The mole which forms the subject of this discussion is usu- 

 ally referred to as the "common garden mole." It belongs to a 

 genus (Scalops) which is distributed very generally over the 

 eastern part of the United States and the Mississippi valley as 

 far west as the plains. There is not enough variation in type 

 over this range to establish more than a single species (aquat- 

 icus), but four or five subspecies are recognized. The Kansas 

 mole has usually been assigned to the subspecies machrinus, 

 but from the large number of specimens examined it seems 

 best to place it in the subspecies intermedius of Elliott. There- 

 fore it may be designated as Scalops aquations intermedius. 



Hand, nose and foot of the common mole ; under surface in each case. Original. 



The true moles may be distinguished from meadow mice, 

 shrews, or pocket gophers with which they are often con- 

 fused by the following peculiarities: They have a naked, 

 pointed snout extending nearly a half inch in front of the 

 mouth opening, which is, therefore, ventral. The eyes are 

 very minute and concealed in the fur. The same is true of the 

 auditory orifice. There are no external ears. The fore feet 

 are very large and broad, the palms being wider than long. 

 The toes of the feet are webbed to the base of the claws, which 

 are broad and depressed. The hind feet are small and narrow, 

 with slender, sharp claws. The variation in size among indi- 

 viduals taken in the same locality is not especially marked, but 

 it is more noticeable when comparing specimens taken in 

 arid and in moist regions respectively. 



