Golden moles
Golden moles are small, burrowing mammals native to various regions in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. They belong to the family Chrysochloridae and are characterized by their unique golden-colored fur on their undersides and compact bodies. There are ten genera and multiple species of golden moles, with sizes ranging from Grant's desert golden moles, measuring about 2.5 to 3 inches long, to giant golden moles, which can reach lengths of 7.5 to 9 inches. These animals possess specialized adaptations for burrowing, such as large front paws with sharp claws, water-repellent fur, and leather-like pads covering their noses to prevent soil from entering. Golden moles are primarily insectivores, consuming insects, earthworms, and other small invertebrates, and they rely on their keen sense of touch and hearing to locate food as they have poor eyesight.
While mostly solitary, they can be observed foraging above ground, especially during mating season when males exhibit distinctive courtship behaviors. Golden moles face significant threats to their survival, including habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and predation by domestic animals, leading to the endangerment of more than half of their species. Their burrows, which can extend up to 800 feet and are about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, serve as both shelter and hunting grounds. With a lifespan of around two years, the population dynamics and breeding behaviors of golden moles are critical to understanding their ecological role and conservation needs.
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Golden mole
There are ten genera and multiple species of golden moles. Golden moles have golden colored hair on their undersides and live in a variety of environments in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Afrosoricida
Family: Chrysochloridae
Genus: Various (see below)
Species: Various (see below)
There are ten genera and many species of golden moles. Golden moles live in the grassy forests, riverbanks, swampy areas, mountains, and semi-desert areas in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. They are small, compact animals. Grant's desert golden moles are the smallest golden moles and are between 2 1/2 and three inches (six to 7 1/2 centimeters) long. The giant golden moles are the largest golden moles and are 7 1/2 to nine inches (19 to 23 centimeters) long. Golden moles do not weigh very much at all, usually not more than a couple ounces (about 56 grams). Golden moles do not have visible tails. Their fur lays down flat on their backs so that they are able to burrow more easily. Their fur is also water repellant, so they stay dry while digging. Dense, wooly, golden fur keeps the moles warm. When they are digging, leather-like pads cover their noses so that they do not get dirt inside their noses.
Like other moles, golden moles spend almost all of their time burrowing just below the surface of the ground, leaving small ridges of soil behind them. The moles can to dig very well because they have large front paws with sharp claws. As they dig, they move and pack the soil with their snouts, heads, shoulders, backs, and rear paws. While they burrow, they are foraging (looking for food). Golden moles are insectivores, meaning they eat insects and their larvae, earthworms, crickets, slugs, snails, and spiders. Since they cannot see very well, the moles depend on their sense of touch to find food. They eat any food they find right away and do not store food. Sometimes the golden moles forage above ground, look for new burrows, or look for a mate. When they are not underground, they "waddle." Also, they are able to use their sense of smell more when they are not underground.
Snakes, owls, birds, otters, genets, mongooses, and jackals all eat golden moles. The moles can to hear very well and to sense vibrations in the ground when another animal is nearby. Any vibration sends the moles quickly to their burrows or bolt holes (a safe room in the burrow).
Burrows are usually 1 1/2 to two inches (three to five centimeters) in diameter with larger chambers off to the side of the main tunnels. They are around three feet (one meter) deep and may extend for 800 feet (240 meters). Rainfall determines how deep and how long the golden moles dig their burrows. If rain or something else damages a tunnel, the moles are able to repair it very easily because they have a very good sense of where they are and what the tunnel is like.
Golden moles do not have any particular way to defend themselves other than their powerful claws. Usually, they will hide in their burrows if they are in danger. They may fight other moles for a burrow. They do not live in families or groups with other moles, and so they defend their home territory when another mole intrudes.
The breeding habits of some golden moles are not known, while others, like the Hottentot mole, have been studied. When a male Hottentot mole is ready to mate it begins chirruping a lot while it bobs its head and stamps its feet. This behavior attracts a female. She responds by making a grasshopper-like rasping sound and squeals a lot. The moles may mate anytime during the year. The female also may become pregnant and give birth at any time. However, fertility does increase during the rainy season. She will usually give birth to one to three young. Each newborn mole is about two inches (five centimeters) long and weighs less than one ounce (less than 28 grams). Moles do not have fur when they are born. When they are larger and weigh between one and 1 1/2 ounces (28 and 42 grams), they leave the nest and find their own burrows.
The life span of golden moles is around two years. Due to habitat loss caused by agricultural practices and mining, and predators like domestic cats and dogs, over half of the species of golden mole are threatened with extinction.
Bibliography
Bronner, Gary. “Golden Moles.” IUCN Afrotheria Specialist Group, afrotheria.net/golden-moles. Accessed 3 Apr. 2024.
Sullivan, Will. “Scientists Uncover a Golden Mole Species Thought to Be 'Possibly Extinct.'” Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Dec. 2023, www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-uncover-golden-mole-species-thought-to-be-possibly-extinct-180983355. Accessed 3 Apr. 2024.