Eastern Mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is in the Moles and Desmans family (Talpidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,461 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Eastern Mole: observations by month (U.S.)
About Eastern Mole
The eastern mole or common mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is a medium-sized, overall grey North American mole and the only member of the genus Scalopus. Its large, hairless, spade-shaped forefeet are adapted for digging. The species is native to Canada (Ontario), Mexico, and the eastern United States, and has the widest range of any North American mole.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Eastern Mole by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 585 | June | May–Apr |
| North Carolina | 429 | May | Apr–Mar |
| Texas | 332 | May | Feb–Jul |
| Virginia | 278 | May | Mar–Jul |
| Missouri | 232 | May | Feb–Nov |
| Illinois | 204 | June | Mar–Jun |
| Maryland | 203 | June | May–Jul |
| Tennessee | 179 | June | Apr–Jun |
| Ohio | 172 | May | Mar–Jun |
| Indiana | 167 | June | Mar–Jul |
| Minnesota | 165 | June | Mar–Nov |
| Michigan | 158 | June | Apr–Sep |
| Kentucky | 124 | April | Mar–Jan |
| Georgia | 117 | May | Apr–Mar |
| Arkansas | 116 | May | Mar–Jun |
| South Carolina | 116 | May | Apr–Mar |
| Alabama | 113 | February | Feb–Jul |
| New Jersey | 93 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Oklahoma | 92 | May | Apr–Oct |
| Iowa | 76 | June | May–Jul |
| New York | 75 | March | Mar–Jul |
| Kansas | 72 | May | May–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 68 | June | May–Oct |
| Mississippi | 62 | May | Jan–Jul |
| Connecticut | 47 | July | May–Oct |
| Nebraska | 42 | May | May–Oct |
| Louisiana | 41 | April | Mar–Jun |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | July | Apr–Nov |
| District of Columbia | 29 | May | May–Jul |
| Delaware | 16 | July | May–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 13 | July | Jun–Aug |
| South Dakota | 6 | June | Jun–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Moles and Desmans)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Eastern Mole?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to March.
Where is Eastern Mole most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, North Carolina, Texas.