Van Zyl's golden mole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Van Zyl's golden mole |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Cryptochloris
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| Species: |
zyli
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| Van Zyl's golden mole range | |
The Van Zyl's golden mole (Cryptochloris zyli) is a special type of golden mole. It lives only in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Sadly, this amazing animal is in danger of disappearing. It is listed as an endangered species because its home is being lost.
Golden moles are an old group of mammals. They spend most of their lives underground. They have shiny, dense fur that helps them move easily. They look very smooth and streamlined. You can't see their eyes or ears. Their small eyes are covered by hairy skin, so they are blind. Their tiny ears are hidden deep in their fur.
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About Van Zyl's Golden Mole
Van Zyl's golden mole is a small animal. It is about 80 to 90 millimeters (3 to 3.5 inches) long. It weighs about 20 to 30 grams (0.7 to 1 ounce). That's about the same weight as a few strawberries!
What Does It Look Like?
This mole has white marks on its face. Its fur on top is short and thick. It is a dark lead-grey color. The fur underneath is a lighter grey. Its belly is a plain, dull color.
Digging Claws
The mole's front paws are perfect for digging. The claw on its third finger is about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) long. It is 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) wide at the bottom. The first and second claws are a bit shorter. Together, they form a sharp tool for digging tunnels.
Life and Habitat
Van Zyl's golden mole lives in sandy areas near the coast. It prefers the sand dunes and nearby sandy ground. These areas are its natural home.
What Do They Eat?
This golden mole eats different small creatures without backbones, called invertebrates. It also eats legless lizards. These lizards can grow up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) long.
Reproduction and Young
Golden moles usually have two babies at a time. Sometimes, they have just one. The young moles are born in a special nest. This nest is a small cavity in the ground. It is lined with soft grass. The moles usually dig their tunnels just below the surface of the ground.
Why They Are Endangered
Van Zyl's golden mole was first found in a place called Compagnies Drift. This spot is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) inland from Lambert's Bay in South Africa. Later, in 2003, another mole was found much further north. This was at Groenriviermond, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) up the Namaqualand coast.
Threats to Their Home
This mole is in danger because it is losing its home. People are changing the coastal areas where it lives. For example, digging for valuable minerals in the sand dunes can harm their habitat. New buildings for tourism along the west coast also cause problems. These activities destroy the places where the moles live and find food.
Conservation Status
Because of these threats, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed Van Zyl's golden mole as "endangered." This means it is at a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild.
