Cape golden mole
Chrysochloris asiatica | |
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Cape golden mole adult, showing the digging claw, absence of external eye and a hint of the iridescence of the fur. | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Afrosoricida |
Family: | Chrysochloridae |
Genus: | Chrysochloris |
Species: | C. asiatica
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Binomial name | |
Chrysochloris asiatica | |
Cape golden mole range | |
Synonyms | |
List
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The Cape golden mole (Chrysochloris asiatica) is a small, insectivorous mammal of the family Chrysochloridae, the golden moles. It is native to certain south western regions of South Africa. The species is a solitary subterranean insectivore, confined to the coastal regions of the south-western and southern Cape. When foraging for soil invertebrates, these golden moles excavate superficial burrows using their conical nose shield and highly modified forefeet. Females are smaller than males. Golden moles have very dense, soft, and silky coats. The coats are colored blackish to slaty-grey and brown to pale fawn. They have also been observed to venture on to sandy beaches, presumably to feed on amphipods and isopods occurring there.[2]
References[]
- ^ Bronner, G. (2015). "Chrysochloris asiatica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T40600A21288387. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T40600A21288387.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ BENNETT, AND SPINKS (1995). "hermoregulation and metabolism in the Cape golden mole (Insectivora: Chrysochloris asiatica)". Journal of Zoology, London. 236 (3): 521–529. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1995.tb02729.x.
External links[]
- Manyeleti Private Game Reserve - description of golden moles[permanent dead link]
- Data related to Cape golden mole at Wikispecies
Categories:
- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Endemic fauna of South Africa
- Afrosoricida
- Mammals of South Africa
- Least concern biota of Africa
- Mammals described in 1758
- Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
- Afrotheria stubs