Happy National Mole Day!
I hope you’re experiencing a wonder-full National Mole Day! Yes, I know it’s the chemistry kind of moles we’re supposed to be celebrating today, not skin moles or ground moles — but I still thought now would be the perfect time to share this video of the funny, furry little creature my children found in our flower bed recently. Isn’t he fascinating?
[If you cannot see the video, click here to view it.]
Five Fun Facts about Moles:
- There are 20 different species of moles, ranging in size from 2-20 cm.
- Most moles spend the majority of their time underground, but there are a few species of aquatic moles that spend at least part of their time in the water.
- Moles primarily eat insects and earthworms, although larger varieties will sometimes ingest small mice, as well.
- A mole’s saliva contains a toxin that allows it to paralyze its prey.
- Moles typically reproduce in the spring, giving birth to 2-6 babies at a time.
But, of course, that’s not the kind of moles this National Mole Day is all about, is it? In chemistry, a mole refers to a basic unit of measurement based on Avogadro’s number, 6.02 x 10^23 (which is why it is traditionally celebrated on October 23, between the hours of 6:02 AM and 6:02 PM).
For a fascinating explanation of how Avogadro came up with this rather odd number, I suggest you watch this short but informative video from GetChemistryHelp.com:
To learn more about the furry kind of moles, visit a-z-animals.com.
For more information on skin moles, including how to tell if they are cancerous, check out www.cancer.org .
And for more fun ideas for daily celebrations, check out this post: Making Every Month More Memorable. Or get yourself a digital copy of my Family Fun Bundle, and start creating great memories with your loved ones!
There is another kind of mole that you’re missing, isn’t there?! Our family learned the concept of this kind of mole on a mystery/spy show back in the 2000’s? What can I say? I liked “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and “Get Smart” when I was a kid in the 60’s! Got the dictionary to check it out: “a spy who manages to gain an importatnt position within the security defences of a country” or “someone within an organization who secretly passes on confidential information to another organization or country.”
You are absolutely right, Elsie! We were just discussing moles over dinner tonight, and my daughter reminded me of the spy definition, then I came home to find this comment in my inbox. You two are on your toes! That kind of mole was completely below my radar. Ha!