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Cape golden mole - CHRYSOCHLORIS ASIATICA
Possibly Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Mole": "Mole" is the Middle English word for the animal.
Description: A small, round-bodied animal lacking external tail, with rudimentary eyes covered with skin, the cape mole's ears are simple openings, its nose flat and fleshy, and its hands bear four digits, the middle two are large with strong, pointed claws. Its hind feet are small with five toes. The fur is thick, and it has heavy underfur, brown to gray in color with a strong yellow or green iridescent sheen. Total length is only about 4.5-5", and it weighs about 1 oz.
Location: South Africa.
Habitat: Fossorial. Soft or sandy soil in grassy or scrub areas.
Behavior: Although its habits are similar to those of true moles, the numerous species of golden moles are not closely related to them. This fossorial (burrowing) animal is blind. It burrows extensively, making both deep and shallow tunnels. Those that cut through the humus or topsoil raise a visible ridge along the ground. Digging is done by butting with the nose while pushing soil away wlth the foreclaws, an activity for which the wedge-shaped skull and short, muscular neck are especially adapted. The golden mole eats earthworms and other small invertebrates.
Reproduction: Its breeding habits are little known. The young are born in a grassy nest and suckled for two to three months until almost fully grown.
Go to the Insectivores Page to get a general discussion of these animals.
Go to the Star Nosed Mole or the European Mole to study the other America Zoo moles.
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