American Motes, 



9 



runs have thus been kept under observation for periods of several 

 days at a time, with results indicating that moles are as likely to be 

 found working at one hour of the day or night as at another. This 

 is especially true at seasons when there is no great variation in tem- 

 perature throughout the period of 24 hours. 



As to seasonal activity, it may be said that moles are probably 

 never dormant, that they never hibernate. They may be trapped at 

 any time of year when the ground is not frozen too hard to permit 



BI285M 



Fig. G. — Mounds and ridges of earth similar to those shown in figures 4 and 5. A sec- 

 tional view of part of a deeper runway connected with mound and with subsurface 

 hunting path is shown. Traps give best results when on these main tunnels. 



the working of the trap. It must be understood, however, that ex- 

 tension of surface runways occurs mainly at times wdien soil condi- 

 tions are favorable — after rains in summer or during periods of 

 thaw in winter. At other times in its search for food the mole must 

 use its old runs or work at depths and in situations unaffected by 

 frost or drought. Movements of soil-inhabiting worms, insects, and 

 larvae tend to bring ever fresh supplies of food into these tunnels. 



BREEDING HABITS. 



Contrary to popular opinion, moles are slow breeders. Their life 

 of seclusion shelters them from many of the dangers that constantly 

 threaten the existence of the small mammals living above ground. 



(i8657° - I'L'— Bull. 1247 2 



