Chrysospalax trevelyani
giant golden mole

Giant golden moles are found in the forests of the eastern Cape of South Africa. (Bronner, 2006a; Bronner, 2006b)

This species seems to be restricted to large patches of coastal or Afromontane forests, although it is sometimes present in adjacent grasslands. These forests must have a deep litter layer, well developed undergrowth, and soft soils. Giant golden moles do not occur in rocky terrain or on steep slopes and are absent from the commercial forest plantations that have been established in the region. (Bronner, 2006a; Bronner, 2006b; Maddock and Hickman, 1985; Poduschka, 1980; Poduschka, 1982)

Most golden moles are usually about 12 to 17 cm long and weigh from 85 to 142 grams. Giant golden moles are about 20 cm in length and as heavy as 539 grams. Their fur is usually reddish brown, but is quite variable, ranging from black to pale yellow. The fur usually has an iridescent sheen of coppery gold, purple, green or bronze. Their bodies are fusiform, with large claws on their short, powerful forelegs. They have no external tail or ears, and their eyes are covered by skin. Their noses are pink and tapered. They have two layers of fur, an outer, moisture proof layer of guard hairs, and an insulating wooly underlayer. Their nose has a leather pad on it to protect the nostrils as they push through the soil. The first and fourth digits on their forelegs are vestigial, while the fifth digit has disappeared entirely. The third toe in front is greatly enlarged. They have five digits on their rear feet and they are webbed to shove the soil behind them as they dig. (Bronner, 2006a; Bronner, 2006b; Poduschka, 1982)

Information not known at this time.

Giant golden moles are nocturnal. In the wild, they generally enter their burrows before dawn and emerge to forage well after dusk. While in their burrows they enter a state of torpor until evening. When in captivity, they require water to drink and eat an insect diet. If they are handled too much while they are in torpor, they will wake up and, in extreme cases, cease eating. Most species of golden moles do not need to drink free standing water because of their low metabolic rates and their diet. When they are awake, they stay moving almost constantly. When they sleep, their muscles twitch continuously. In the wild, giant golden moles inhabit burrows approximately 10 m long with a network of surface runways. Golden moles are generally solitary, and it is likely that giant golden moles are solitary as well. They are the only species that has shown any degree of social behavior, though, with several individuals being found together in the same burrow in midwinter, suggesting the possibility of social hibernation. Typically, adults are territorial and fight viciously if confined together. (Bronner, 1995; Bronner, 2006a; Bronner, 2006b; Maddock and Hickman, 1985; Poduschka, 1980; Poduschka, 1982)

Home Range

Information about home range sizes of giant golden moles is not available.

The eyes of golden moles are covered with a layer of skin. They likely use their senses of smell, touch, and hearing extensively in perceiving their environment and communicating. (Bronner, 2006a; Bronner, 2006b; Poduschka, 1982)

Giant golden moles are insectivores that feed mostly on earthworms, termites, and millipedes. They forage under litter on the forest floor. (Bronner, 2006a; Bronner, 2006b; Maddock and Hickman, 1985)

Domestic dogs have been reported preying on giant golden moles. Nocturnal snakes, owls, and mammalian carnivores are potential predators as well. Giant golden moles remain safe in burrows throughout the day, avoiding diurnal predators.

Giant golden moles are important predators of earthworms and invertebrates in their forest ecosystems.

There are no known adverse effects of giant golden moles on humans.

Giant golden moles help to control insect pests that they prey on.

Chrysospalax trevelyani populations face habitat loss from the degradation of forests due to clearing, firewood collection, stripping of trees, and the overgrazing of livestock. They are also preyed upon by domestic, feral dogs. (Bronner, 2006a; Bronner, 2006b)