Prairie Mole

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge:

Bigger than most mice, voles, or shrews, prairie moles (Scalopus aquaticus) are active all year and were spotted by Sand Lake Elementary School third graders last week by Browns Marsh near Onalaska, WI. They can be between 5-8 inches in size with thick, velvety fur. Their eyes are covered by skin and are thought to help them determine the presence of light. Their large front paws and muscular arms and legs help them move quickly through grass and soil.

The photos below were taken David Govoni, who rescued and released this mole after finding it in his basement!

Photo credit - David Govoni, Flickr Creative Commons