Moles in Captivity

I've only seen wild moles in zoos (CARE had a few mole hills when I went recently), don't think I've seen any other than mole-rats in zoos, but would love to. The San Francisco Zoo's website does say they hold star-nosed moles, but I am nowhere close to that to see.
 
GiornoPizza said:
I've only seen wild moles in zoos (CARE had a few mole hills when I went recently), don't think I've seen any other than mole-rats in zoos, but would love to. The San Francisco Zoo's website does say they hold star-nosed moles, but I am nowhere close to that to see.
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You have lied to me. It is only a sculpture in a sculpture garden. My conquest continues.
 
Aardwolf said:
Most of the wild miles I’ve seen have been on zoo grounds, but considering that’s where I spend most of my time, that’s probably not too surprising. I saw one tunnel directly alongside a basking alligator once, pop up, then continue plugging along
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I am still quite jealous. To see one would be a dream come true.

GiornoPizza said:
I'm so sorry, I saw it was in the mammal section and didn't think. Maybe it is just mole rats in the US :(
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That is quite fine - I forgive you.
 
I've only seen a mole once - it popped out of the bushes lining the driveway, and started across. It bounced out into the sunlight at which the mole promptly about-faced and disappeared back into the bushes and was gone. Not a clue what it was doing but it was certainly unexpected.
 
I've seen wild moles on several occasions. The most reliable way I have found to see them is when saltmarsh floods on a spring tide- near where I grew up on the Wirral, there's a large area of Saltmarsh on the Dee Estuary, and whenever there's a spring tide, it all floods, and people gather to watch the spectacle at Parkgate. Smalls mammals and birds, everything from water rails to pipits to voles and yes, moles, are driven to higher ground by the rising tidal water, and there's often an impressive array of raptors gathered for an easy meal. I've never failed to see moles when I've gone to Parkgate at a spring tide.

the Wildwood Trust have held rescue moles in the past, though don't have any currently, and I'm not sure any were ever on display.
 
Great Argus said:
I've only seen a mole once - it popped out of the bushes lining the driveway, and started across. It bounced out into the sunlight at which the mole promptly about-faced and disappeared back into the bushes and was gone. Not a clue what it was doing but it was certainly unexpected.
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This is incredible, I hope you cherish this experience. To see a mole in real life is one of my dreams.

birdsandbats said:
I've seen Star-nosed Mole burrows but have yet to actually see one - it is quite high on my mammal wishlist.
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It is the same on mine as well. I am envious of you to have even seen the holes.

Swampy said:
I've seen wild moles on several occasions. The most reliable way I have found to see them is when saltmarsh floods on a spring tide- near where I grew up on the Wirral, there's a large area of Saltmarsh on the Dee Estuary, and whenever there's a spring tide, it all floods, and people gather to watch the spectacle at Parkgate. Smalls mammals and birds, everything from water rails to pipits to voles and yes, moles, are driven to higher ground by the rising tidal water, and there's often an impressive array of raptors gathered for an easy meal. I've never failed to see moles when I've gone to Parkgate at a spring tide.

the Wildwood Trust have held rescue moles in the past, though don't have any currently, and I'm not sure any were ever on display.
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I must travel to this location. I believe it must be an incredible experience.

DesertTortoise said:
The Lakeside Nature Center in Kansas City Missouri had an eastern mole on display as of December 28, 2021. I haven’t been back more recently to see if they still keep the species.
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I must make the trek some day.

PossumRoach said:
Tama is not the only zoo in Japan to keep moles. Kumamoto city zoo and Miyazaki city zoo also keep moles albeit I di not know which exact species.
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Thank you for the clarification, my kind friend.

aardvark250 said:
I believe it's the same species as Tama, the Japanese mole. Not 100% sure though
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Incredible, to even see a mole species would be incredible.
 
I think most of us who have seen moles haven't really been looking for them, they've just been incidental sightings. If you're so keen to see one, have you considered talking to a local gardening store/supply shop to ask them of any places they could recommend? Or a pest removal service? A lot of gardeners consider moles to be nuisances, and there has been a lot written (dating back centuries) on how to remove them (lethally or otherwise) from gardens. They may be able to give you specific pointers on where they might be plentiful or more easily found in your area.
 
I have seen the former mole and shrew enclosures at the Maine Wildlife Park and spoken with one of the keepers who worked with them. They said that they were "extremely difficult to keep" and cited the amount of food they need to maintain their metabolism as the primary issue. They gave up from what I understand but the enclosures are still in the Nocturnal Creatures exhibit. The Star-nosed mole and a Short-tailed shrew were each kept in small, sectioned off areas of a larger enclosure containing Flying Squirrels, Meadow voles, and Deer mice. There are pictures in the gallery.
 
CMTM said:
I have seen the former mole and shrew enclosures at the Maine Wildlife Park and spoken with one of the keepers who worked with them. They said that they were "extremely difficult to keep" and cited the amount of food they need to maintain their metabolism as the primary issue. They gave up from what I understand but the enclosures are still in the Nocturnal Creatures exhibit. The Star-nosed mole and a Short-tailed shrew were each kept in small, sectioned off areas of a larger enclosure containing Flying Squirrels, Meadow voles, and Deer mice. There are pictures in the gallery.
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I am ever so thankful for your contribution here. I plan on visiting soon, so I will light a hypothetical candle to the shrine of the mole. It is my personal goal to become the mole man.
 
Leaf Productions said:
I am ever so thankful for your contribution here. I plan on visiting soon, so I will light a hypothetical candle to the shrine of the mole. It is my personal goal to become the mole man.
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Happy to be of service!

It's a charming little park with (mostly) spacious enclosures, hardworking staff, and some relative rarities for human care (fisher, moose, a North American songbird aviary). Great stop if you're in the area and honestly worth the trip up if you're in New England.
 
CMTM said:
Happy to be of service!

It's a charming little park with (mostly) spacious enclosures, hardworking staff, and some relative rarities for human care (fisher, moose, a North American songbird aviary). Great stop if you're in the area and honestly worth the trip up if you're in New England.
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I hope OP doesn't mind that I'm derailing the topic at hand, but did they have Stoats and Squirrels still? Haven't been in years but remember they had a lot of good mustelids.
 
Leaf Productions said:
I hope OP doesn't mind that I'm derailing the topic at hand, but did they have Stoats and Squirrels still? Haven't been in years but remember they had a lot of good mustelids.
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Unfortunately all I recall was the flying squirrels. I would've remembered a stoat but it's certainly possible I missed a gray or red squirrel. I think the only mustelid I saw was the fisher. They did not have a skunk at my last visit but said they were expecting one soon. They also expressed a desire to add otters at some point. There was also a sign talking about sea mink but no american mink on display.

I should be returning sooner than later and I'll let you know what I see.
 
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