It burrows through the sand like a mole and has been considered extinct for 87 years. Now a team of researchers in South Africa has rediscovered the De Wintons’ gold mole (see video above).
De Winston’s golden mole is a hitherto little-researched species from the family of golden moles, which are similar in body structure to moles. Although the latter lead a similar subterranean lifestyle, they are not closely related to the golden mole rats.
Animal discovered on coastal stretch
All known specimens of De Winston’s golden mole come from Port Nolloth, a small port town in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. There are sandy beaches to the north and south of the town and it is precisely there that a specimen of the species that was thought to be extinct has now been rediscovered.
First described in 1907, the species is blind, only about nine inches long, has silky fur, and digs through the sand like a mole with its powerful clawed forelimbs (see video above).
Not seen for 87 years
The animals’ population, which has hardly been seen by anyone for almost a century, is classified as critically endangered, which can be attributed to their habitat, which has been heavily altered by mining. Because De Winton’s golden molehill had not been seen for 87 years, scientists feared the species might be extinct.
Since 2017, an international research group has been searching for ‘lost species’ around the world. De Winton’s golden mole rats are the rarest species found since.
Source: Krone
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