Van Zyl's Golden Mole (Cryptochloris zyli)

Van Zyl's Golden Mole is not pictured due to image unavailability. Grant's Golden Mole pictured.

The Van Zyl's Golden Mole is a small native mammal.  It was listed in 2003 as a critically endangered species. This particular species is endemic to South Africa. Their decreasing numbers are due to habitat clearance or destruction and preyed upon by domesticated cats and dogs.

The first species was collected in 1937 by Giden van Zyl.

They are a burrowing animal, and spend the majority of their time underground. They range in size between 8 cm to 20 cms.

Golden moles have an amazingly efficient kidney. Some species do not need to drink water at all.

There have been very few reported specimens of Van Zyl's Golden Mole. It was reported at Compagnies Drift, 15 kms inland of Lambert's Bay, Northwestern Cape Province. More reportings of this species have been identified by Harvard University, and another identified by the Natural History Museum of London.

Further Information on Van Zyl's Golden Mole:

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Bibliography:
Skinner & Smithers. 1990 The Mammals of the Southern African Sub-region

African Zoology Vol 36, No 1. April 2001