Van Zyl's Golden Mole 3470827 207741627 2008-04-24T00:44:59Z Frickeg 2903722 status system and formatting fixes {{Taxobox | image = <!--Grantsgoldenmole.jpg commenting out image with no source/bad FairUse claim--> | name = Van Zyl's Golden Mole | status = EN | status_system = iucn3.1 | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | ordo = [[Afrosoricida]] | familia = [[Chrysochloridae]] | genus = ''[[Cryptochloris]]'' | species = '''''C. zyli''''' | binomial = ''Chrysochloris zyli'' | binomial_authority = (Shortridge & Carter, [[1938]]) }} '''Van Zyl's Golden Mole''' (''Cryptochloris zyli'') is a [[golden mole]] endemic to the [[Western Cape Province]], [[South Africa]]. It is listed as an endangered species due to habitat loss. Golden moles are an ancient group of mammals who live mostly below ground. They have shiny coats of dense fur and a streamlined, formless appearance. They have no visible eyes or ears; in fact, they are blind - the small eyes are covered with hairy skin. The ears are small and are hidden in the animal's fur. Van Zyl's Golden Mole is about 80 - 90 mm (3 - 3.5") long and weighs about 20 - 30 g (0.7 - 1.0 oz). It lives in the coastal dune belt and adjacent sandy areas. Usually two young are born, sometimes one. Van Zyl's Golden Mole eats various [[invertebrates|invertebrates]] , as well as [[legless lizard]]s, which grow to a length of about 20 cm (8"). The young of golden moles are born in a grass-lined cavity in the ground. They usually dig their tunnels just below the ground. Van Zyl's Golden Mole was initially known only from Compagnies Drift, 16 km (10 mi) inland from Lambert's Bay, northwestern [[Cape Province]], [[South Africa]]. Another specimen was collected at Groenriviermond, approximately 150 km (90 mi) farther north along the [[Namaqualand|Namaqualand]] coast, in 2003. Van Zyl's Golden Mole is threatened by continued loss of habitat. For example, mining of coastal dunes for [[alluvial]] [[diamond]]s could lead to habitat degradation. Habitat alteration associated with tourism developments along the west coast could also pose a problem for this species. ==References== *{{MSW3 Bronner|pages=79}} {{Afrosoricida|C.}} {{mammal-stub}} [[Category:Afrosoricidans]] [[Category:Mammals of Africa]] [[fi:Zylinkultamyyrä]] [[it:Cryptochloris zyli]]