Four different types of moles dwell in the Pacific Northwest: the broadfooted mole, the
coast mole, the shrew mole, and the Townsend mole. The most notorious of these
moles is the Townsend, causing vast damage to crops, lawns and gardens. With its
dark, velvet-like fur, this creature can grow to lengths of nine inches. Half the size of the
Townsend is the coast mole. Sometimes confused with the Townsend, the coast mole
is perhaps most well-known for the numerous molehills that outline their home ranges.
One coast mole can make up to 400 molehills during the year. The broadfooted mole is
somewhat smaller with a greyish or coppery coat. Shrew moles actually will spend part
of their time above ground, unlike the others. Shrew moles prefer areas where digging
is easy, and are the smallest of the moles species, about half the size of a common
house mouse. All these species of mole have the telltale pointed snouts, nearly-naked
tails, and sturdy, clawed feet.