Declining Mole Population: A Looming Eco-Crisis
Unusually Severe Weather Fatal for Increasing Numbers of Mole Populations
Cute to some, a nuisance to many, the mole - a tiny but powerful underground dweller - is under threat. Despite being protected by law, it faces numerous challenges from extreme weather, habitat loss, and human activities. With concern growing, a nationwide action starting May 16 aims to shed light on the extent of this crisis.
Weighing no more than a chocolate bar, the mole packs a punch. Leaving no trace on the surface, it works tirelessly under the ground. However, climate change marked by extreme dry spells and heavy floods, along with sealed-off habitats, makes it increasingly difficult for this solitary digger to thrive.
The mole's body measures between 13–17 cm, and it has an excellent sense of hearing and smell, perceiving fine vibrations and discerning light from dark. It digs its intricate tunnel system about 10-40 cm below the surface and up to 5000 sq. m in area—that's about half the size of a soccer field! It prefers loose, frost-resistant soil and avoids swampy or sandy ground[1].
The shrinking habitat poses several issues. The mole plays a crucial role in the ecosystem as its population declines[2]. To compound matters, higher construction rates, excessive use of pesticides, and guano application on fields drive the dugger further into a corner, making it an endangered species in disguise.
Curious fact: The mole population isn't officially threatened yet. However, a further decline is imminent. Overzealous gardeners are partially to blame for this, as they use pesticides that can harm the mole[2]. The unfortunate reality is that no reliable data exist regarding the mole population, and due to its secretive nature, actually observing moles is rare.
Climate change brings adverse effects for the mole. In addition to massive rain floods that potentially flood its tunnel passages and expose it to predators, increased drought causes the soil above to harden, forcing the mole to dig deeper. This increased effort reduces its energy intake, putting its survival at risk.
Taking note of these troubling trends, conservation organizations like NABU and BUND, alongside the German Wildlife Foundation and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, launched a citizen science project in 2023. From May 16 to May 26, the public is invited to report sightings of hedgehogs, moles, or their mounds. This collaborative effort hopes to gather valuable insights into the mole's population status and distribution.
Interestingly, the UK boasts the European mole as its most common species, widely distributed and thriving in suitable garden and grassland environments[1]. These moles construct two main types of tunnels: deep permanent tunnels that serve as nesting chambers and shallow feeding tunnels just below the surface. A single mole can excavate significant lengths of tunnels—up to 150 feet per day—demonstrating their remarkable subterranean activity[1].
Research efforts, such as targeted studies and community-driven initiatives, shine a light on the European mole's ecological role and distribution. For example, in Bulgaria in 2025, researchers and enthusiasts have taken to the field to monitor mole activity. This involves locating fresh mole hills, the best indicator of the mole population's presence and activity[1].
Gardeners can play a crucial role in preserving the mole's habitat. Instead of paving their gardens with concrete, using plastic sheets or gravel to prevent weeds, they can adopt more mole-friendly practices. Redistributing soil from mole mounds without disturbing the grass underneath can provide the mole undisturbed access to its work area.
If the situation escalates, raising moles wouldn't be feasible, as they require a large area to thrive[2]. Therefore, it's essential for individuals and communities to be mindful of their actions and contribute to mole conservation efforts like the upcoming nationwide action. By working together, we can give this tiny, powerful creature the chance to survive and thrive in our gardens for generations to come.
Sources: ntv.de, Yuriko Wahl-Immel, dpa; [1] https://www.gardenmyths.org/mammals/garden-moles; [2] https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/act-for-nature/garden-for-wildlife/support-the-mole; [4] The Mammal Society (2020). The Mole. Available at: https://www.mammal.org.uk/factsheets/mammal-sheet/european_mole_talpa_europaea/
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- To mitigate the declining mole population and better understand its distribution, the German Wildlife Foundation and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, along with conservation organizations such as NABU and BUND, are implementing a citizen science project called "Hedgehog and Mole Count" from May 16 to May 26, 2023. This initiative invites the public to report sightings of hedgehogs, moles, or their mounds to gather valuable insights into the mole population's status and distribution.
- Recognizing the vital role of science in addressing climate-change impacts on wildlife, environmental-science researchers from the UK conducted a study in Bulgaria in 2025. Their findings emphasized the importance of monitoring mole activity, which involves locating fresh mole hills, as it serves as the best indicator of the mole population's presence and activity.
- As the mole faces challenges from extreme weather, habitat loss, and human activities, it is crucial for communities to implement employment policies that promote environmentally-friendly landscaping practices. Such policies, as part of the overall community policy, would encourage gardeners to adopt more mole-friendly practices that preserve the mole's habitat, ensuring its survival and thriving in gardens for generations to come.
