Cape Golden Mole

The Cape golden mole is a small insectivorous mammal of the family Chrysochloridae, the golden moles. The species is a solitary subterranean insectivore, confined to the coastal regions of the south-western and southern Cape in South Africa. When searching for small soil invertebrates and small lizards, these golden moles dig shallow burrows using their conical nose shield and their highly modified front legs. Females are smaller than males. Golden moles have a very dense, soft, silky coat. The coats range from blackish to slate grey and from brown to pale tawny. They have also been observed venturing onto sandy beaches, presumably to feed on the amphipods and isopods found there.