Giant Golden Mole

Summary

Giant golden moles are small burrowing insectivores found in the Cape region of South Africa. They belong to a larger family of golden moles (Chrysochloridae) containing 20 other species. Although they appear similar to North American, European, and Asian moles, they are not “true moles.” They seem related because of convergent evolution and have adapted functions to interact with similar environments. Humans know little about the creature due to its underground habitat and limited numbers.

5 Giant Golden Mole Facts

• The inner ear bones of the giant golden mole are, relative to their size, the largest of any mammal.
• These giant inner ear bones and bony plates surrounding the skull allow the creature to detect vibrations through soil.
• Like other golden moles, giant golden moles have an iridescent coat that shimmers as it changes position relative to light.
• The giant golden mole is the largest of the golden moles.
• It preys upon insects harmful to agriculture and conditions soil by aerating and fertilizing it.

Scientific Name

The scientific name of the giant golden mole is Chrysospalax trevelyani. Chrys- is Latin for “gold,” and -spalax is a New Latin adaptation of the Greek word for “mole.” The species’ name derives from Captain Herbert Trevelyan, who included a giant golden mole in donating 37 South African specimens to the British Museum in 1875.

There are two golden moles in the genus Chrysospalax, including the giant golden mole and the rough-haired golden mole. Chrysospalax is one genus out of ten in the Chrysochloridae family, containing all of the golden moles.

Appearance 

The giant golden mole is the largest of the African golden moles. It weighs a little over one pound and is eight to nine inches long. They have cylindrical bodies with triangular heads and no tails. Their front limbs are short and muscular, with four long claws. They have no external ears and flaps of skin cover their functionless eyes. The area around their nose is bare and tough. They are brown to dark brown on top, with a lighter coat underneath. Also, they are one of the few golden moles with long, coarse hair as their outer coat. Their undercoat is thick and woolly. Like all golden moles, the giant golden mole has flat scaly hairs which reflect and refract light, creating a colorful, iridescent effect.

Behavior

Giant golden moles are nocturnal burrowing animals. Their burrows tend to be about ten meters long with various offshoot tunnels, including latrines and nurseries. They come out to forage after dusk and return to their burrows before dawn. While they are awake, they seldom stop moving. During the day, they will enter what is called “torpor.” During torpor, their metabolisms slow, and their temperatures drop to conserve energy. To offset the temperature drop, they will shiver as they sleep. During the winter, they will hibernate near the roots of trees. This is the only time they will show anything other than solitary behavior, sometimes nesting with others of their species. Usually, they are very territorial and will fight viciously if their tunnel system is invaded.

Habitat

The giant golden mole is found near the South African coast, mostly in forests, though sometimes in surrounding grasslands. They require soft, rock-free soil to burrow in and depend on the leaves and debris that can gather on forest floors and beneath undergrowth to host their prey. They do not regulate their body temperatures well and require a very narrow range of temperatures to survive.

Diet

They are carnivorous, feeding on various vertebrates and invertebrates. They will feed on millipedes, cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers, burrowing snakes, worms, giant earthworms, snails, and even small lizards. In the wild, they seldom need water, as their metabolisms are very efficient, and they get all the moisture they need from their diet.

Predators and Threats

They are preyed upon by owls, nocturnal snakes, domestic and feral dogs, and some carnivorous mammals. Throughout the day, they are safe from predation in their burrows.

Their greatest threat is habitat disruption caused by human activity. Mining, bark stripping, development, deforestation, and harmful agricultural practices destroy the forests and leaf-covered soil they rely on for hunting and protection.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

Female giant golden moles can mate year-round, but most mating occurs from October through November. Males attract females by stamping their feet, bobbing their heads, and chittering. Females will reciprocate by squeaking and squealing. Single males will mate with multiple females, which then carry their young for about six weeks before giving birth.

The female will give birth to one to two helpless, hairless newborns. She will care for, nurse, and defend them until they are ready to live independently, at which point, she will push them out of the nest.

Giant golden moles live for about four years.

Giant Golden Mole Population

The giant golden mole is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Not much is known about their numbers because they live most of their lives underground. Though the species is endangered, no conservation efforts are being made on their behalf.