Construction workers were amazed today to discover that during the night, their car park had been tipped upside down - by a mole.
The Snowdonia Mountain Mole (talpa snowdonia) is usually found in previously glacial mountainous regions across northern Europe, but, like the Snowdon Lilly, the Mountain Mole was discovered within the boundaries of Snowdonia National Park.
These fearsome beasts can reach sizes between 11-17m in length and weighing several tonnes. Being nocturnal, this giant mole is rarely seen, although locals tell legend of a large furry beast shuffling around in brown earth soil areas at night. Their average age is unknown although it is believed that they may live for one hundred and fifty years or more. Talpa Snowdonia was first discovered in the 1800's following the increase in slate mining in the area, and was almost wiped out by big game hunters going out in the early hours of the morning and startling them with small flashbombs.
It is believed that methods used for slate mining confuse and disorientate the mole, causing it to dig erratic pathways different to the ones most frequently used. It is also believed now that that was the cause of todays sighting.
Luckily the construction workers can use their CAT digger to fill in some of the holes, although now there is the concern of dangerous subsidence in the area.
