Bathyergus suillus (Schreber, 1782)

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 352-370 : 367

3.

Cape Dune Mole-rat

Bathyergus suillus

French: Bathyergue des dunes / German: Kap-Strandgraber / Spanish: Rata topo de dunas de El Cabo

Other common names: Cape Dune Blesmol, Cape Dune Mole Rat, Large Cape Dune Mole-rat

Taxonomy. Mus suillus Schreber, 1782 ,

Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to S South Africa, Western Cape Province from Knysna to Lamberts Bay.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 267-9-353-7 mm (males) and 279-9-329-9 mm (females); tail 30-7-41-9 mm (males) and 29-3-38-3 mm (females); weight 0-57.1-3 kg (males) and 0-58.0-96 kg (females). Some male Cape Dune Mole-rats reach 2 kg. Largest species of mole-rat characterized by thick cinnamon-brown dorsal pelage, with hairs darker at bases and brown at tips; ventral surface is grayish; and whitish hairs are near eyes and nose. Cape Dune Mole-rats have cylinder-shaped bodies, with short limbs, pinkish feet, and long claws on forefeet. Tail is short and contains bristle-like hairs, similar to those seen on feet, with facial bristles being considerably larger. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 56, FN = 102.

Habitat. Sandy soils in mesic savannas and grasslands.

Food and Feeding. The Cape Dune Mole-rat is herbivorous, and its diet contains c.80% grass, geophytes, and aboveand below-ground plants; it does not drink standing water.

Breeding. Breeding of the Cape Dune Mole-rat occurs during rainy season in July—October; courtship involves foot drumming. Gestation is 50-60 days, litter size averages 3-3 young (range 1-6), and genetic evidence suggests multiple paternity. Cape Dune Mole-rats are territorial and aggressive toward each other.

Activity patterns. Cape Dune Mole-rats dig with large claws on their forefeet.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Breeding patterns of Cape Dune Mole-rats suggest aboveground movements; burrows are 50-420 m; home range averages 0-27 ha (range 0-14-0-35 ha). They are solitary and territorial.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Bennett & Jarvis (1995), Bennett et al. (2009), Bray, Bloomer et al. (2012), Bray, van Rensburg & Bennett (2013), Davies & Jarvis (1986), Hart et al. (2006), Maree, Faulkes & Griffin (2008b), Nevo et al. (1986), Skinner & Chimimba (2005), Thomas et al. (2009).

Figures

1. Silvery Mole-rat (Heliophobius argenteocinereus), 2. Namaqua Dune Mole-rat (Bathyergus janetta), 3. Cape Dune Mole-rat (Bathyergus suillus), 4. Cape Mole-rat (Georychus capensis), 5. Common Mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus), 6. Ghana Mole-rat (Fukomys zechi), 7. Nigerian Mole-rat (Fukomys foxi), 8. Ochre Mole-rat (Fukomys ochraceocinereus), 9. Bocage’s Mole-rat (Fukomys bocagei), 10. Zambian Mole-rat (Fukomys amatus), 11. Ansell’s Mole-rat (Fukomys anselli), 12. Katue Mole-rat (Fukomys kafuensis), 13. Mechow’s Mole-rat (Fukomys mechowu), 14. Caroline’s Mole-rat (Fukomys vandewoestijneae), 15. Whyte’s Mole-rat (Fukomys whytei), 16. Damara Mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis), 17. Mashona Mole-rat (Fukomys darlingi)

Distribution. Endemic to S South Africa, Western Cape Province from Knysna to Lamberts Bay.