The moles cylindrical body is 12-16 cm long from nose to tip of the tail and weighs 70-110 grams. There is very little external difference between the sexes. The mole if covered with black velvety hair, which can set in any direction. It is well adapted for burrowing with large spade-like forefeet turned permanently outwards for digging. The eyes are very small and hidden among the fur, but well capable of detecting light. There are no external ear flaps. The senses of touch and hearing are well developed but smell and sight are less important.

Moles are solitary in their habits and live almost entirely underground in a tunnel system. They feed mainly on earthworms but also on various other invertebrates including slugs and insect larvae. Much of the prey is caught when it falls into the tunnel system, which thus acts as a kind of pitfall trap.
 
The breeding season lasts from February to June and there is usually one litter a year. After a 4 week gestation period the young are born blind and without fur. They develop rapidly and leave the nest when they are 5 weeks old.