Many homeowners struggle to tell if tiny animals digging around in the yard are shrews or moles. Although these two types of rodents are alike, there a few differences between them. Shews have a number of traits that set them apart from moles, such as: Short, three-inch-long bodies that weigh as little as a tenth of an ounce Small but visible eyes and ears Tiny, hairless front feet Moles, on the other hand, have different physical characteristics, including: Larger bodies averaging seven inches in length and weighing about four ounces Tiny ears and eyes completely hidden by fur Wide front feet with webbed toes used for burrowing Because these animals spend much of the day underground, using visual cues may be difficult. To determine if a pest is a shrew or mole, study the environment as well. A bad odor usually indicates a shrew infestation, as the rodents use their musky scent to deter predators. If mounds of dirt pepper the lawn, moles are the likely culprit.