Mammals crepuscular

Star-nosed Mole

Condylura cristata

Equipped with a supernatural sense of touch and a star-shaped nose, this semiaquatic mole is the fastest hunter in the underground world. Watch as it navigates the dampest corners of your backyard with precision and speed.

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Quick Identification

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Size

15-20 cm (5.9-7.9 inches) in length; weighs between 35-75 g (1.2-2.6 oz)

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Colors

Uniform dark brown to blackish fur with a paler underside; distinctive pink fleshy nasal rays

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Key Features

22 fleshy pink tentacles surrounding the snout
Large, shovel-like forepaws with heavy claws
Long, thick, scaly tail that swells in winter with fat
Dense, water-repellent velvety fur

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern crepuscular

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Peak hours Active in 4-hour cycles throughout the day and night, with peak surface activity at 5-8 AM and 6-9 PM

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Season Year-round; surface activity and tunneling are most visible in Spring and Autumn when soil is moist.

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Diet Primarily carnivorous, eating earthworms, aquatic insects, leeches, mollusks, and occasionally small fish or crustaceans.

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Habitat Wet, low-lying areas such as marshes, swamps, peatlands, and damp suburban lawns near water sources.

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Behavior

The star-nosed mole is a marvel of biological engineering, best known for being the fastest-eating mammal in the world. Using its 22 nasal tentacles—which contain over 25,000 minute sensory receptors—it can identify and consume prey in less than a quarter of a second. Unlike most other moles, this species is semi-aquatic and an excellent swimmer, often foraging along the muddy bottoms of streams and ponds using its paddle-like feet for propulsion.

These moles are active year-round and do not hibernate; they have even been observed swimming under solid ice during the winter months. While they spend much of their time in complex tunnel systems, they are more social than other mole species and are sometimes found living in small, loose colonies. In the backyard setting, they are shy and rarely seen above ground, though their presence is unmistakable due to the unique 'volcano-shaped' mounds of soil they push to the surface.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the star-nosed mole on a trail camera is a rewarding challenge because they are almost exclusively subterranean or underwater. To find the perfect spot, look for 'fresh' soil mounds in the dampest part of your yard, particularly near a pond, stream, or drainage ditch. Position your camera at ground level, literally touching the grass, and angle it slightly downward toward a known tunnel exit. If you can find a spot where a tunnel opens into a body of water, you have a high chance of filming them as they transition from land to their aquatic hunting grounds.

Because these animals are incredibly small and move with lightning speed, your camera settings are critical. Use the 'Burst Mode' or 'Rapid Fire' setting to capture 3-5 photos per trigger, as a single shot will often catch nothing but a tail or a blur of fur. A high trigger speed (0.2s or faster) is essential. If your camera has a 'Macro' or close-focus lens, use it; the star-nosed mole is best viewed from a distance of 2-4 feet to see the incredible detail of its snout tentacles.

For night captures, ensure your IR (Infrared) flash is not too bright, as it can 'white out' the subject at such close range. If your camera has adjustable flash power, set it to 'Low' or 'Close Range.' You can also try placing a camera near a log or a flat stone in a marshy area; moles often use these as 'latrines' or resting spots above the water line. Unlike many mammals, they aren't attracted to traditional baits like peanut butter, but maintaining a healthy, chemical-free lawn with plenty of natural earthworms is the best way to keep them coming back to your camera site.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Star-nosed Mole.

Eastern Mole

Lacks the star-shaped nose tentacles and has a much shorter, nearly hairless tail.

Hairy-tailed Mole

Has a shorter, densely hairy tail and prefers better-drained, higher elevation soils.

Frequently Asked Questions

Star-nosed moles are active in short bursts throughout a 24-hour period, roughly four hours on and four hours off. However, they are most likely to be seen near the surface or moving between tunnels during the low light of dawn and dusk (crepuscular hours).

You can attract them by maintaining high-moisture areas or rain gardens in your yard. Avoiding the use of pesticides and lawn chemicals is vital, as this ensures a healthy population of earthworms and aquatic larvae, which are their primary food sources.

They are insectivores that focus on high-protein prey. Their diet includes earthworms, dragonflies, midges, leeches, and small crustaceans. When in the water, they will also hunt small minnows and aquatic beetles.

Yes, they are common in suburban areas throughout the Northeast US and Canada, provided the soil is wet enough. If your backyard borders a creek, pond, or marshy woods, you likely have them nearby even if you never see them.

The most obvious difference is the 22 pink tentacles on the snout of the star-nosed mole. Additionally, star-nosed moles have a much longer, hairier tail and are usually found in wetter soil compared to the drier, upland preferences of the Eastern mole.

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