Grant's golden mole

Grant's golden mole (Eremitalpa granti; colloquially also: dune shark) is a golden mole species. It is the only member of the genus Eremitalpa.

Grant's golden mole
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Afrosoricida
Family: Chrysochloridae
Genus: Eremitalpa
Roberts, 1924
Species:
E. granti
Binomial name
Eremitalpa granti
(Broom, 1907)
Subspecies

E. g. granti
E. g. namibensis

Grant's golden mole range

Attributes

Like all other golden moles the build of these animals is similar to the moles, though they are not related, and is adapted to a life of digging. The front extremities are remodeled to digging claws; in contrast to most other species of its family they have three claws each. The tail is physically not visible, there are no auricles, the eyes are covered with fur, and the mouth is bearing a leather-like pad, which also serves for digging.

Grant's golden mole has a long silky fur, which is colored gray on cubs and sandy on older animals. With a length of 7.5 to 9 cm and a weight of 15 to 25 g it is the smallest member of its species.

Geographical distribution and habitat

Grant's golden mole lives on the western coast of South Africa and in south western Namibia.[1] Its natural habitat is dry areas, mostly sandy deserts.[1]

Diet and social behaviour

In contrast to many other golden moles, Grant's golden mole rarely builds lasting tunnels. It "swims" through the sand just under or on the surface while searching for food. It is mainly a nocturnal animal, resting by day in small caves beneath sheltering plants.[1] It is a solitary animal, with stomping grounds averaging 4.6 ha. When foraging at night, the animal will alternate between moving over the surface sand, dipping its head into the substrate (detecting low frequency vibrations through the ground[2]), and "swimming" through the sand.[3]

Besides termites (which constitute the majority of its food) and other invertebrates, its diet consists of reptiles such as skinks.

Status of endangerment

Grant's golden mole is listed as Vulnerable (VU) by the Endangered Wildlife Trust.[1][4] It is a highly specialized species that is very sensitive to the destruction of its habitat.[1]

References
  1. Bronner, G. (2008). "Eremitalpa granti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2008.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Narins, Peter M.; Lewis, Edwin R.; Jarvis, Jennifer J.U.M.; O’Riain, Justin (1997). "The Use of Seismic Signals by Fossorial Southern African Mammals: A Neuroethological Gold Mine". Brain Research Bulletin. 44 (5): 641–646. doi:10.1016/S0361-9230(97)00286-4. PMID 9365810.
  3. Narins, Lewis, Jarvis, O'Riain (1997). "The Use of Seismic Signals by Fossorial Southern African Mammals: A Neuroethological Gold Mine". Brain Research Bulletin. 44 (5): 641–646. doi:10.1016/S0361-9230(97)00286-4. PMID 9365810.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. "Endangered Wildlife Trust - Red Data". www.ewt.org.za. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
  • Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9.
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