Golden mole

Golden moles
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Order:	Afrosoricida
Suborder:	Chrysochloridea; Broom, 1915
Family:	Chrysochloridae; Gray, 1825
Genera
	Eremitalpa Roberts, 1924 ; Chrysospalax Gill, 1883 ; Chrysochloris Lacépède, 1799 ; Cryptochloris Shortridge & Carter, 1938 ; Carpitalpa Lundholm, 1955 ; Chlorotalpa Roberts, 1924 ; Calcochloris Mivart, 1867 ; †Damarachloris Pickford, 2019 ; Amblysomus Pomel, 1848 ; Neamblysomus Roberts, 1924 ;

Golden moles are small, insectivorous burrowing mammals native to southern Africa. They form the family Chrysochloridae.^[2] They are taxonomically distinct from the true moles. They look alike because of convergent evolution.

The golden moles bear a remarkable resemblance to the marsupial moles of Australia. They live almost exclusively underground, beneath grassland, forest, swamps, deserts, or mountainous terrain. Like several other burrowing mammals with similar habits, they have short legs with powerful digging claws, very dense fur that repels dirt and moisture, and tough skin, particularly on the head. Their eyes do not work, and covered with skin and fur. The ears are just tiny openings and, like the marsupial moles, they have an enlarged leather-like pad to protect their nostrils. Their main sense is that of touch, and they are particularly sensitive to vibrations that may indicate approaching danger.^[3]

Golden Mole Media

Chrysochloris asiatica Cape golden mole adult, showing the digging claw, absence of external eye and a hint of the iridescence of the fur. The rhinarium is not obvious in this photograph.

References

↑ Bronner, G.N.; Jenkins, P.D. (2005). "Order Afrosoricida". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 77–81. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
↑ Savage R.J.G. & Long M.R. 1986. Mammal evolution: an illustrated guide. New York: Facts on File, p53. ISBN 0-8160-1194-X
↑ Kuyper, Margaret 1984. In Macdonald D. (ed) The encyclopedia of mammals. New York: Facts on File. pp. 764–765. ISBN 0-87196-871-1

[msw3-1] Bronner, G.N.; Jenkins, P.D. (2005). "Order Afrosoricida". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 77–81. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.

[2] Savage R.J.G. & Long M.R. 1986. Mammal evolution: an illustrated guide. New York: Facts on File, p53. ISBN 0-8160-1194-X

[3] Kuyper, Margaret 1984. In Macdonald D. (ed) The encyclopedia of mammals. New York: Facts on File. pp. 764–765. ISBN 0-87196-871-1

[2]

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