Star-nosed Mole (Condylura cristata) is in the Moles and Desmans family (Talpidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,047 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in September.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Star-nosed Mole: observations by month (U.S.)
About Star-nosed Mole
The star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) is a small mole found in wet low areas in the northern parts of America. It is the only member of the tribe Condylurini and the genus Condylura.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Star-nosed Mole by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 188 | September | May–Oct |
| Minnesota | 131 | July | Jun–Oct |
| Ohio | 108 | June | Apr–Oct |
| Pennsylvania | 108 | June | May–Oct |
| Michigan | 104 | June | Jun–Oct |
| Massachusetts | 85 | May | May–Oct |
| Maine | 70 | August | May–Sep |
| Vermont | 70 | July | May–Sep |
| Wisconsin | 56 | June | Jun–Sep |
| New Jersey | 26 | May | May–May |
| Connecticut | 18 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Maryland | 17 | May | May–Jun |
| New Hampshire | 16 | September | May–Oct |
| North Carolina | 15 | October | Oct–Oct |
| Rhode Island | 9 | October | Oct–Oct |
| West Virginia | 8 | May | May–May |
| Virginia | 5 | October | Oct–Oct |
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 Star-nosed Mole?
Nationally, September has the most observations, with the main season from May to October.
Where is Star-nosed Mole most often seen?
The most observations come from New York, Minnesota, Ohio.