What is the primary diet of moles?

Study for the Pennsylvania State Extension Cool-Season Turfgrass Pest Management Test. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions featuring hints and explanations. Get ready to ace your exam!

Moles primarily feed on earthworms, insects, and other invertebrates that dwell underground. Their diet is heavily reliant on these organisms because moles have evolved to be specialized for a life spent largely below the surface of the soil. The moist environment where earthworms reside is ideal for moles, both because of the abundance of food and the relatively stable conditions it provides for their burrowing lifestyle.

While some of the other options may represent food sources for different animals or be found in the same environment, they do not accurately reflect the moles' dietary preferences. Fruits and vegetables, grasses and weeds, as well as seeds and nuts are not significant components of a mole's diet, as they do not consume plant materials at all. Instead, the biological adaptations of moles, such as their strong forelimbs for digging and their keen sense of touch, enable them to hunt effectively for earthworms and insects, which are rich in protein and essential for their energy needs.

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