Giant Golden Mole (Chrysospalax trevelyani)

The Giant Golden Mole

The Giant Golden Mole is an average of 20 cm (or 8 inches) long. They weigh just over 500 grams (or nearly 20 ounces). They have a golden coat of short fur, hence the name Golden Mole.

They roam the Eastern Cape Province in Africa, but very sparsely. The Giant Golden Mole is an endangered species, due to habitat destruction and being taken by domesticated animals such as dogs.

They feed on insects such as grasshoppers, crickets and other such invertebrates.

Did you know? The Giant Golden Mole is blind!

The small eyes of the Golden Mole are covered by fur. It appears not to have ears either, but it does. These are also hidden by fur.

When the Giant Golden Mole is asleep, the body twitches which aids in maintaining a stable body temperature. If the mole lies dorment for too long, its body temperature will begin rapidly declining.

The Golden Mole lives in tunnels which can extend for over 10 metres in length. They make mounds outside the entrance of their tunnel about 20 cms high.

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Bibliography:
Thomson, B. 1991. A Field Guide to Bats of the Northern Territory.