Contribution from the Bureau of Biological Survey, Henry W. Henshaw, Chief. 

 May 14. 1914. 



I THE COMMON MOLE OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



By Theo. H. Scheffer, Assistant Biologist. 

 DISTRIBUTION. 



I Within the boundaries of the United States are five recognized 

 1; groups of true moles. Two of these are confined to the Pacific coast, 

 ifriand three are distributed over the section east of the one hundredth 

 meridian extending from Canada to the Gulf. There are no moles in 

 the Kocky Mountain region, and their range is very restricted in the 

 Great Basin and on the Great Plains. The common mole ^ may be 

 found almost everywhere south of the New England States, New 

 York, Michigan, and central Wisconsin, except in the mountain 

 regions. In the latter districts and in the greater part of Pennsyl- 

 vania, New York, and New England the common mole is replaced 

 by the star-nosed mole ^ and Brewer's mole.^ 



The general distribution of the mole seems to depend very largely 

 on the condition of the soil and on the humidity of the climate. 

 Moles are absent altogether from our arid regions, and where the 

 prairies of the West merge gradually into the plains they are found 

 only along water courses. In these regions of deficient rainfall the 

 ground is so dry and hard the greater part of the year as to be wholly 

 unsuited to the existence of earthworms and the various insect larvae 

 upon which the mole depends for subsistence. The mole is most abun- 

 dant in moist, rich soils along streams, particularly if these situations 

 are somewhat shaded. 



DESCRIPTION. 



The mole is so seldom seen, even by those who are familiar with its 

 work, that it is often confused with other small creatures, particu- 

 larly the shrew, the vole or meadow mouse, and the pocket gopher. 



1 Scalopus aquaticus. 2 Condylura cristata. s Parascalops breweri. 



Note.— This bulletin treats of the mole found east of the one hundredth meridian. It contains an 

 account of its habits, the nature of the damages committed by it, and the methods employed for its 

 destruction. It also seeks to remove some popular misconceptions concerning this little animal. It is of 

 interest to gardeners, lawn makers, caretakers of parks and cemeteries, etc. 

 34909"— Bull. 583—14 1 



