Why do most moles have tiny eyes hidden in their fur?

Most moles have tiny, poorly developed eyes hidden within their fur because they are highly adapted for an underground lifestyle. Since they spend the vast majority of their lives burrowing in darkness, they do not rely on vision to navigate their environment.

Instead of sight, moles possess acute senses of hearing and touch to detect and differentiate details of their surroundings and prey. Their muzzles are equipped with thousands of microscopic tactile structures known as Eimer’s organs, and they utilize sensory hairs on their muzzles and bodies to perceive their environment. By keeping their eyes small and protected by fur, moles prevent injury while moving through soil and debris during their constant digging activities.1