Scapanus occultus is a burrowing mole of southern California and nearby dry country, where workable soil matters more than surface scenery. The Salton Sea region fits that setting, while reports around the Klamath Basin or San Francisco Bay need careful identification and local context before defining the mole’s range.
Reports climb through winter and early spring to an April high, then decline steadily into September. Rain-softened ground can make tunnels and displaced soil easier to notice, while dry summer earth hides much of the animal’s activity. The curve therefore tracks detectability as well as the mole itself.
Full species profile
