Do moles hibernate or hibernate? What is the difference between both? Below we share with you the definitions of these two overwintering strategies and explain what exactly the mole does in your garden in winter.
Does the mole hibernate or hibernate?
Moles neither hibernate nor hibernate, but are somewhat less active in winter. As a precaution, they build up a supply of live earthworms and dig deeper tunnels and larger mounds in winter to avoid flooding.
Winter rest versus hibernation
Winter rest is, so to speak, a less deep hibernation with interruptions. Here is the definition of the two wintering methods:
Definition of hibernation
Hibernation is a sleep-like state, usually from October to March or April, into which various mammals fall into to hibernate. They do not sleep through these months, but wake up every now and then and, for example, change their sleeping place to get away from excretions. Deep sleep can last uninterrupted for several days to weeks. Body functions such as breathing and heartbeat are reduced to a minimum. The heart then often only beats a few times per minute and the body feeds on the body fat it accumulated in the fall. Some animals hibernate in groups, such as marmots, while others, such as hedgehogs, sleep alone.
Definition of hibernation
Animals that hibernate wake up more often than animals in hibernation. They slow down their body functions slightly, but not as much as hibernators. In addition, during waking periods they eat food that they collected in the fall. Winter hibernators include squirrels, raccoons, badgers and bears.
Does the mole hibernate or hibernate?
The mole is still hibernating again. However, it is a little less active in winter and as a precautionary measure, it stores up a supply of live (!) earthworms for overwintering. To do this, he bites off their heads so that they don't crawl away but continue to live.
Tip
If you find a hypothermic mole in winter, you should take it with you, warm it up and take it to the vet. Be sure to warm the mole up before offering it food and water!
The mole in winter
To prevent its burrow from being flooded by meltwater, the mole builds particularly large mounds in winter. He also has to dig deeper to avoid hitting frozen layers of earth. In summer the mole burrow is only 10 to 40cm deep, in winter up to 100cm or deeper.
Excursus
Cold rigidity of earthworms
Earthworms also burrow into deeper layers of the earth in winter and fall into a kind of cold paralysis. The mole is happy about the cold treats.
