Chrysochloris asiatica (Linnaeus, 1758)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Chrysochloridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 180-203 : 201

15.

Cape Golden Mole

Chrysochloris asiatica

French: Taupe-dorée du Cap / German: Kap-Goldmull / Spanish: Topo dorado de El Cabo

Taxonomy. Talpa asiatica Linnaeus, 1758 ,

Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.

Up to ten subspecies of C. asiatica have been previously recognized, but geographical variation in size and color appears to be clinal. Monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to W South Africa, Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 100-115 mm (males) and 94-114 mm (females), hindfoot 9-14 mm (males) and 11-14 mm (females). No specific data are available for body weight. Color of dorsum is variable, including blackish, slategray, brownish gray, olive-brown, and drab silver; venter is paler. Cape Golden Moles can have white eye patches. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 30 and FN = 56.

Habitat. Various habitats including Fynbos, Renosterveld, and Strandveld Succulent Karoo biomes, preferring sandy soils, and gardens.

Food and Feeding. The Cape Golden Mole eats mostly insects and other invertebrates including earthworms, centipedes, and millipedes. In captivity, it will eat almost any kind of insect and even juvenile mice. It is thought to eat crustaceans (amphipods and isopods) when moving on sandy beaches at night.

Breeding. Breeding of the Cape Golden Mole is seasonal, with young born in June-August during winter rainfall season of the Western Cape Province. Litters have 1-3 young. Young are altricial and suckle for 2-3 months.

Activity patterns. Cape Golden Moles are predominantly nocturnal but sometimes active in the late afternoon. They are very active after rain.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Cape Golden Moles mostly move through tunnels below the surface but can burrow deeper. They sometimes leave small soil mounds. They are solitary except during breeding and when young accompany females. They are hostile to conspecifics.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Cape Golden Mole has a wide distribution and ability to adapt to partially transformed habitats including gardens. It faces no major conservation threats.

Bibliography. Bennett & Spinks (1995), Bronner (1995b, 2013b), Bronner & Asher (2016a, 1955b), Broom (1907, 1950).

Figures

0. Yellow Golden Mole (Calcochloris obtusirostris), 1. Hottentot Golden Mole (Amblysomus hottentotus), 2. Robust Golden Mole (Amblysomus robustus), 3. Highveld Golden Mole (Amblysomus septentrionalis), 4. Marley’s Golden Mole (Amblysomus marleyi), 5. Fynbos Golden Mole (Amblysomus corriae), 7. Congo Golden Mole (Huetia leucorhina), 8. Somali Golden Mole (Huetia tytonis), 9. Gunning’s Golden Mole (Neamblysomus gunningi), 10. Juliana’s Golden Mole (Neamblysomus julianae), 11. Arend’s Golden Mole (Carpitalpa arendsi), 12. Sclater’s Golden Mole (Chlorotalpa sclateri), 13. Duthie’s Golden Mole (Chlorotalpa duthieae), 14. Stuhlmann’s Golden Mole (Chrysochloris stuhlmanni), 15. Cape Golden Mole (Chrysochloris asiatica), 16. Visagie’s Golden Mole (Chrysochloris visagier), 17. Rough-haired Golden Mole (Chrysospalax villosa), 18. Giant Golden Mole (Chrysospalax trevelyani), 19. De Winton’s Golden Mole (Cryptochloris wintoni), 20. Van Zyl's Golden Mole (Cryptochloris zyli), 21. Grant's Golden Mole (Eremitalpa grant)

Distribution. Endemic to W South Africa, Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces.