The golden mole is not a mole, but a master of subterranean sand swimming

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Despite their name and striking resemblance to true moles, golden moles are an entirely distinct order of mammals. These blind, iridescent creatures inhabit sub-Saharan Africa, where some species have evolved to literally swim through sand dunes, while others construct complex burrow systems to navigate their subterranean world.

Golden moles belong to the order Chrysochloridea, a group so distinct from other insectivores that they occupy their own unique mammalian order. Their evolutionary history in Africa dates back to the Early Miocene Epoch, between 23.8 and 11.2 million years ago. While they share physical traits with true moles, such as powerful digging claws and cylindrical bodies, this is a result of evolutionary convergence rather than close kinship. Their closest living relatives are likely African tenrecs.

These animals are highly specialized for life underground. They lack functional eyes, which are covered by skin and fur, and they possess no external ears. Instead, they rely on a leathery pad on their muzzle to protect their nostrils while digging. Some species, like Grant's golden mole, have adapted to desert life by 'swimming' through loose sand rather than tunneling, as the sand would otherwise collapse. To conserve energy in harsh environments, they can enter a state of torpor, and some species are so efficient that they do not require water to drink.

The diversity within the family Chrysochloridae is significant, ranging from the tiny Grant's golden mole, which weighs less than an ounce, to the giant golden mole, which can reach up to 24 centimeters in length. They inhabit a wide variety of environments, from coastal lowlands to elevations of 3,300 meters. Whether foraging for insects and lizards in shallow subsurface tunnels or navigating the surface at night, these mammals demonstrate remarkable adaptations to life in the dark, including a highly developed sense of touch and sensitivity to vibrations.

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