Broad-Footed Mole

The Broad-footed Mole (Scapanus latimanus) is found throughout the state of California except dry desert regions, and native to the Bay Area. This species spends most of its life underground, feeding on earthworms, insects, and some plants. They play an important role in maintaining the health of soils by mixing nutrients as they build their burrows. Moles are generally solitary, given that they are incredibly territorial of their burrowing systems, which they patrol and defend. Their diet consists of insects, earthworms, centipedes, millipedes, snails, slugs, grubs, ants, sowbugs, termites, beetles, and crickets. Their predators include snakes, skunks, foxes, weasels, coyotes, hawks, and owls. This is a deceased mole, in fact a lucky find, since they are primarily underground.