Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:55 pm
Moles are not always welcome, because they disfigure the lawn with their mounds. Apart from this, they are useful because they exterminate harmful insects. They are rarely seen above ground.
To the point
- Young are born naked and blind
- do not remove baby mole immediately from the place where it was found
- do not give food before warming up
- in case of dehydration give fennel tea
- Inform animal rescue
Contents
Recognize baby mole
Very few people have ever seen a mole (Talpa europaea), because they spend most of their lives underground building huge tunnel systems and hunting for food. Only rarely are they seen above ground. This is usually also true for their offspring, which are born in a special nesting chamber and are raised there by the female alone. The pups are
- naked and blind
- with a weight between four and five grams.
- when born. They are suckled by the female for six to eight weeks, every four to six hours. As a rule, it is relatively rare for a pup to emerge above ground outside the nest chamber during this time. Unless, of course, the underground nest is destroyed. What then to do when such a small baby mole is found? More on this below.
Note: Moles are not threatened in their existence, but nevertheless enjoy special protection according to the Federal Species Protection Ordinance. They may neither be captured nor killed. Only deterrence with repellents (deterrence and expulsion with odor-intensive agents) is permitted.
Baby mole found
If a baby mole is found, the question “What to do” quickly arises. The young animal should not be removed immediately from the place where it was found, because it is quite possible that the mother will bring the pup back to the underground nest. During the waiting period, care should be taken to ensure that the cub is not injured by cats or birds of prey. If the mother does not appear, the baby mole can be taken into care after about two hours.
Wildlife rescue should then be informed that a baby mole has been found. The staff can also answer the question “What to do?” and provide instructions for initial care. The youngster should not be offered food and water right away out of a misconceived love of animals; first, it is important to warm the little one up. The following measures for warming up are necessary:
- Do not use a red light
- but hot water bottle
- alternatively PET-bottle with warm water or
- cherry stone pillow or
- rubber glove with warm water
Tip: Wildlife rescue can not only answer the question “What to do?” but also provide addresses of suitable facilities for raising wild animals or appropriate care and rearing places for moles.
Proper housing
Of course, the young must also be properly housed, for this purpose a small box or box can be used. In this, a towel can simply be folded as a base so that the animal can bury itself in it. Better would be of course even
- Earth or sand from the garden
- or even a mix of both
Furthermore to consider is
- a sufficient air humidity
- warm and dark installation of the box
Even after warming up, the young animal must not be offered any food. Only the administration of some fennel tea is then possible in case of dehydration. This is carefully administered to the puppy with a small 1 ml syringe. It is now also important to have the puppy examined by a veterinarian to determine its health status. However, it should be remembered that not every veterinarian has knowledge about wild animals, also here the animal rescue can help.
Note: After 14 days the pups grow fur, after the 22nd day they can see and move and after two months they can dig on their own. Then the cubs are driven away from the mother.
Raising at home?
Raising a baby mole is very time-consuming and requires appropriate expertise according to § 11 of the Animal Protection Act. If this is available, the little one can be raised at home after consultation with the veterinarian or animal rescue. However, it should be noted that a precise knowledge of the food requirements is available to feed the animal species-appropriate. A young animal can starve to death after only half a day without food. This should not be forgotten, so found animals should always be given into expert hands. There is also the possibility that not all animals survive.
Note: A mole can live between three and five years.
Frequently asked questions
When does the mating season usually begin for moles?
The mating season begins in late February to early March. The timing depends on the prevailing temperatures. It usually takes place in the burrow underground, rarely at night on the surface.
How long does the gestation period last for moles?
After about 28 to 30 days after mating, usually during April, the young are born. One litter can be expected annually. This can consist of two to seven pups, but on average usually three to four.
Can baby moles be fed regular drinking milk?
No. The digestive tract of the pups cannot tolerate the composition of the drinking milk. Diarrhea may sometimes occur. After feeding, the animals would inevitably die. Therefore, it is better to give found babies into professional care.