How many molehills can one mole make?

A single mole can create quite a lot of molehills, which is why your lawn might look like a miniature mountain range even though it's just one animal. Fresh hills appear most frequently in autumn and spring when moles are expanding their tunnel networks or establishing new territories.

Do moles ever come above ground or do they stay underground all the time?

Yes, moles do surface for perfectly normal reasons, not just when they're injured or dying. Young moles travel overground to find new territories, and adults come up to collect nesting materials like dry grass and leaves, or occasionally to forage for earthworms after heavy rain.

How far can a mole's tunnel system extend?

A single mole can excavate a tunnel network extending well beyond 200 metres. These are sophisticated systems with shallow foraging tunnels near the surface, deeper permanent tunnels that act as highways, and a nest chamber lined with dry grass and leaves.

Meet the Wild Locals

Moles: Underground Engineers Who Sometimes Surface

Moles live in tunnel systems that can extend well beyond 200 metres, and they do occasionally surface—for dispersal, foraging, or collecting nest material—not just when they're dying or expelled. The molehills are spoil heaps from constant excavation, and the animal responsible has reversible fur and hands like shovels.

2 September 20267 min read