what moles and voles do crossword clue

Natashya

2 min read

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23-12-2024

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What Moles and Voles Do: A Crossword Clue Conundrum

Moles and voles are small mammals often confused with one another. While they share some similarities, their behaviors and the damage they cause differ. Understanding their distinct habits is key to solving that pesky crossword clue!

Understanding the Differences: Moles vs. Voles

Before we dive into their actions, let's clarify the distinctions between these two burrowers. This will help avoid any confusion when deciphering crossword puzzles.

Moles:

• Appearance: Moles have velvety fur, a pointed snout, and small eyes. Their forelimbs are adapted for digging, resulting in large, powerful claws.
• Diet: They are insectivores, meaning their diet primarily consists of insects, earthworms, and grubs. They are voracious eaters!
• Habits: Moles create extensive underground tunnel systems, pushing up characteristic mounds of soil. These tunnels are often near the surface, disrupting lawns and gardens. They rarely surface.

Voles:

• Appearance: Voles resemble mice, with relatively short tails and small ears. Their fur is typically brown or gray.
• Diet: They are herbivores and granivores. This means they eat plants, seeds, grasses, and grains.
• Habits: Voles create shallow runways and burrows, often near vegetation. They cause damage to plants by gnawing on roots, stems, and bark. They are frequently seen above ground.

What Do They Do? The Crossword Answer

The most common crossword clue answer related to both moles and voles is BURROW. Both creatures spend a significant amount of time creating and inhabiting underground tunnels.

Other Possible Crossword Answers (depending on the clue):

• DIG: This is another accurate answer, emphasizing the digging activity of both creatures.
• TUNNEL: Similar to "burrow," this highlights the creation of underground passages.
• GNAW (for voles): This specifically refers to the vole's habit of chewing on plants.

Solving the Clue: Consider the Context!

The specific answer to a crossword clue will depend on the surrounding clues and the overall difficulty level. Look for additional clues that might point towards the specific behavior being referenced (e.g., "Underground home" might suggest "burrow").

Further Reading:

For a deeper dive into the fascinating world of moles and voles, I recommend checking out resources from your local agricultural extension office or wildlife organizations. They can provide detailed information on identification, habitat, and control measures.

By understanding the differences and similarities between moles and voles, you'll be well-equipped to solve any crossword clue that involves these industrious burrowers! Remember to always consider the surrounding clues for context. Happy puzzling!