Bathyergidae Author Don E. Wilson Author Thomas E. Lacher, Jr Author Russell A. Mittermeier text 2016 2016-07-31 Lynx Edicions Barcelona Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I 352 370 book chapter 58515 10.5281/zenodo.6584692 b8867962-e924-4e49-8d2b-47ed56116943 978-84-941892-3-4 6584692 4. Cape Mole-rat Georychus capensis French: Bathyergue du Cap / German: Kap-Blessmull / Spanish: Rata topo de El Cabo Other common names: Cape Blesmol , Cape Mole Rat Taxonomy. Mus capensis Pallas, 1779 , Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. This species is monotypic. Distribution. South Africa, Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces and isolated populations in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces. Descriptive notes. Head-body 85-231-6 mm (males) and 131:2-181-2 mm (females), tail 18:-1-23-1 mm (males) and 17-3-23-7 mm (females); weight 108-5- 255-1 g (males) and 87.7-272-3 g (females). The Cape Mole-rat is mediumto largesized; pelage is thick, russet to brown dorsally and significantly lighter ventrally. Head and areas below eyes are dark brown; white patches surround ear openings and eyes; nose is pink, with white surrounding anterior part of head. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 54, FN = 104. On following pages: 5. Common Mole-rat ( Cryptomys hottentotus ); 6. Ghana Mole-rat ( Fukomys zechi ); 7. Nigerian bocagel); 10. Zambian Mole-rat ( Fukomys amatus ); 11. Ansell's Mole-rat ( Fukomys anselli ); 12. Kafue Mole-rat ( Fukomys vandewoestijneae); 15. Whyte's Mole-rat ( Fukomys whytel); 16. Damara Mole-rat ( Fukomys damarensis ); 17. Mashona Mole-rat ( Fukomys foxi ); 8. Ochre Mole-rat ( Fukomys ochraceocinereus ); 9. Bocage's Mole-rat ( Fukomys kafuensis ); 13. Mechow's Mole-rat ( Fukomys mechowii); 14. Caroline's Mole-rat ( Fukomys Mole-rat ( Fukomys darling). Habitat. Sandyto clay soils in mesic coastal regions with fynbos shrublands, forests, and savannas of mesic coastal regions. Food and Feeding. The Cape Mole-rat is herbivorous and eats green plants, grasses, clover, and geophytes;it does not drink standing water. Breeding. Breeding of the Cape Mole-rat occurs in August-December. Gestation is 44-48 days, andlitter size averages six young (range 3-10). Activity patterns. The Cape Mole-rat burrows with its teeth; it can be seen aboveground. Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Cape Mole-rat disperses aboveground;it is solitary and territorial. It communicates with seismic signaling by foot drumming. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Bennett & Jarvis (1988b), Bennett et al. (2006), Bronner (1990), Du Toit et al. (1985), Lovegrove & Papenfus (1995), Maree & Faulkes (2008f), Narins et al. (1992), Nevo et al. (1986), Robb et al. (2012), Roper et al. (2001).