Hottentot golden mole [SEP] parent taxon
Hottentot golden mole
The Hottentot golden mole ("Amblysomus hottentotus") is a species of mammal in the golden mole family, Chrysochloridae. It is found in South Africa, Swaziland, and possibly Lesotho. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, sandy shores, arable
of all golden moles is primarily solitary and territorial. They live in deserts and swamps. The Golden mole digs and lives in burrows. Territorial golden moles fight viciously when confined together. Studies show that small groups may hibernate together, but only in the giant golden mole. Burrows used by more than one mole. The Hottentot golden mole will fight aggressively with either sex by using their foreclaws to wrestle, and biting at the abdomen. Fighting is accompanied by high-pitched squeaks. The golden mole actively defends its burrow systems