Chrysochloridae Author Russell A. Mittermeier Author Don E. Wilson text 2018 2018-07-31 Lynx Edicions Barcelona Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos 180 203 book chapter 68525 10.5281/zenodo.6624497 52fefc99-36df-46d7-91e8-51e724bae638 978-84-16728-08-4 6624497 15. Cape Golden Mole Chrysochloris asiatica French: Taupe-dorée du Cap / German: Kap-Goldmull / Spanish: Topo dorado de El Cabo Taxonomy. Talpa asiatica Linnaeus, 1758 , Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Up to ten subspecies of C. asiatica have been previously recognized, but geographical variation in size and color appears to be clinal. Monotypic. Distribution. Endemic to W South Africa, Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces. Descriptive notes. Head-body 100-115 mm (males) and 94-114 mm (females), hindfoot 9-14 mm (males) and 11-14 mm (females). No specific data are available for body weight. Color of dorsum is variable, including blackish, slategray, brownish gray, olive-brown, and drab silver; venter is paler. Cape Golden Moles can have white eye patches. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 30 and FN = 56. Habitat. Various habitats including Fynbos, Renosterveld, and Strandveld Succulent Karoo biomes, preferring sandy soils, and gardens. Food and Feeding. The Cape Golden Mole eats mostly insects and other invertebrates including earthworms, centipedes, and millipedes. In captivity, it will eat almost any kind of insect and even juvenile mice. It is thought to eat crustaceans (amphipods and isopods) when moving on sandy beaches at night. Breeding. Breeding of the Cape Golden Mole is seasonal, with young born in June-August during winter rainfall season of the Western Cape Province. Litters have 1-3 young. Young are altricial and suckle for 2-3 months. Activity patterns. Cape Golden Moles are predominantly nocturnal but sometimes active in the late afternoon. They are very active after rain. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Cape Golden Moles mostly move through tunnels below the surface but can burrow deeper. They sometimes leave small soil mounds. They are solitary except during breeding and when young accompany females. They are hostile to conspecifics. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Cape Golden Mole has a wide distribution and ability to adapt to partially transformed habitats including gardens. It faces no major conservation threats. Bibliography. Bennett & Spinks (1995), Bronner (1995b, 2013b), Bronner & Asher (2016a, 1955b), Broom (1907, 1950).