Moles are small mammals that are extremely well adapted for digging and subterranean life. They have very strong and large front paws which give them excellent digging ability. Each front paw has an extra thumb – this is known as polydactyl in the animal world. These extra fingers on each paw give the mole an edge when digging since the animal can move even more dirt at once.

Moles spend almost their entire lives underground, but they do emerge occasionally. You’re unlikely to see a mole above ground, but you are likely to see signs of the animal’s presence on your property.

One of the most common and easily identifiable signs is a molehill. Molehills are made of the excess dirt that is excavated as the animal digs out its extensive tunnels. They usually appear at the entrances to mole tunnels. These piles of dirt can kill your lawn and other plants.

Mole tunnels are also sometimes visible from above ground if the tunnels are dug very shallowly. These are known as mole runs, and they can make for a very unsightly yard. They can also collapse in on themselves, especially after heavy rain, and further disrupt your yard. That said, most mole tunnels extend quite deep, up to 15 feet in some cases. These tunnels do the most damage because they can disturb plant roots, kill young plants, and even destroy sprinkler and irrigation systems.