It is found in forested and open areas with moist sandy soils in northern Mexico, the eastern United States and the southwestern corner of Ontario in Canada.

The eastern mole has grey-brown fur with silver-grey underparts, a pointed nose and a short tail.

Its front paws are broad and spade-shaped, specialized for digging.

The eastern mole spends most of its time underground, foraging in shallow burrows for earthworms, grubs, beetles, insect larvae and some plant matter.

The female has a litter of two to five young in a deep burrow.