Predator vs. Prey: Eastern Mole Vs. Night Crawler

By illustrated by David Besenger | March 1, 2017
From Xplor: March/April 2017
THIS CONTENT IS ARCHIVED
Body

The struggle to survive isn't always a fair fight.

 

Sleek Fur

Makes it easy to slip through the soil.

Power Shovel

Paws are good for plowing through the dirt like a machine and pinning prey like a pro wrestler.

A Sensitive  Snout

Helps sniff out a worm’s whereabouts.

Sharp Teeth

Are good for cutting big, slippery worms down to size.

Wired for Sound

Worms can’t hear, but their highly sensitive bodies feel the vibrations of tunneling moles, often in time to split the scene.

Built for Speed

A slim, slimy, tube-shaped body and fast, accordion-like locomotion gives most moles the slip.

And the winner is…

The night crawler is fast, but the mole is bigger, faster, and stronger. Several swift chomps still the worm’s squirm, and the mole wins.

And More...

This Issue's Staff

Bonnie Chasteen
Les Fortenberry
Karen Hudson
Angie Daly Morfeld
Noppadol Paothong
Marci Porter
Mark Raithel
Laura Scheuler
Matt Seek
David Stonner
Nichole LeClair Terrill
Stephanie Thurber
Cliff White