Mammals crepuscular

Coast Mole

Scapanus orarius

The hidden architect of the Pacific Northwest, the Coast Mole is a velvet-furred powerhouse that aerates the earth and maintains the health of our forest floors and gardens from below.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 15–18 cm (5.9–7.1 in); Weight: 60–90 g (2.1–3.2 oz)

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Colors

Uniformly charcoal-grey to velvety black fur with a slight silver sheen; pinkish-flesh colored snout and feet

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Key Features

Broad, paddle-shaped front feet with stout claws for digging
Velvety fur that lacks a grain, allowing it to move backward or forward in tunnels
Pointed, hairless snout with sensitive whiskers
Extremely small eyes often hidden by fur

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern crepuscular

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Peak hours 3-6 AM and 6-9 PM

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Season Year-round, with peak mound activity in late winter and spring

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Diet Primarily insectivorous, their diet consists of over 70% earthworms. They also consume beetle larvae, slugs, snails, and occasional silverfish or other soil-dwelling invertebrates.

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Habitat Prefers moist, friable soils in deciduous forests, meadows, pastures, and suburban backyards across the Pacific Northwest.

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Behavior

The Coast Mole is a master of the subterranean world, living a highly specialized life almost entirely underground. Unlike many small mammals, they are not social creatures; they are fiercely territorial and live solitary lives within complex tunnel systems that can span several levels. They create 'deep' tunnels for nesting and 'surface' tunnels for foraging, which are often visible as raised ridges in your lawn or garden beds.

While many homeowners view their mounds as a nuisance, Coast Moles provide essential ecological services by aerating the soil and consuming large quantities of invasive larvae. They are incredibly industrious, capable of digging through several meters of soil in a day. They do not hibernate and remain active throughout the winter, though they may dig deeper to escape the frost line during particularly cold snaps.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Coast Mole on camera is one of the most rewarding challenges for a backyard naturalist because they spend 99% of their time out of sight. To be successful, you must focus on 'active' earthworks. Look for a molehill where the soil is still dark and moist—this indicates recent excavation. Set your camera on a low-profile stake or a small tripod just 6 to 12 inches off the ground, aiming the lens directly at the base of the mound.

Because moles are sensitive to vibrations, once you set your camera, leave the area immediately and avoid walking near it for at least 24 hours. The best trigger mode is 'Photo + Video' with a high-speed trigger. Moles often surface for only a few seconds to push out a plug of dirt before retreating. If your camera has a 'macro' or close-focusing lens, use it, as you will want the camera positioned within 2-4 feet of the mound to capture the mole's small features.

While they can be active at any time, peak surface activity usually occurs during the quietest hours of dawn or dusk. Use a camera with a 'No-Glow' infrared flash; while moles have poor eyesight, they can be startled by the sudden light or sound of a standard trail camera. If you find a 'runway' (a raised ridge in the grass), you can try placing the camera at ground level at the end of the ridge, though catching them breaking the surface at a mound is a more reliable strategy.

In the spring, keep an eye out for 'dispersal' activity. This is the one time of year when young moles may travel above ground to find their own territory. Placing a camera along a garden wall or a fence line during a damp evening in May or June can sometimes catch a rare glimpse of a mole scurrying across the surface in search of a new home.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Coast Mole.

Townsend's Mole

Noticeably larger (up to 23cm) with darker, almost blackish fur and a nearly hairless tail.

Shrew-mole

Much smaller with a longer tail and lacks the massive, paddle-like digging hands of the Coast Mole.

Broad-footed Mole

Found further south in California; has a broader snout and slightly different tooth structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Coast Moles operate on a '4 hours on, 4 hours off' cycle regardless of light, but they are most likely to perform surface work like pushing up molehills during the quiet, damp hours of dawn and dusk.

The best way to attract Coast Moles is to maintain healthy, moist soil with plenty of organic matter, which supports their primary food source: earthworms. Avoid using chemical pesticides that kill soil invertebrates.

Their diet is almost entirely meat-based, consisting of earthworms, grubs, and soil insects. They have a high metabolism and must eat nearly their body weight in food every day.

Yes, they are very common in suburban gardens and parks throughout the Pacific Northwest, provided the soil is moist enough for digging and contains enough worms to eat.

Coast Moles are smaller than the Townsend's Mole and have slightly lighter, more silver-toned fur. Townsend's Moles also prefer wetter, lower-elevation valley soils, whereas Coast Moles are found in a wider variety of elevations.

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