A Mole is Not Always a Mole

A MOLE IS NOT ALWAYS A MOLE

We are all familiar with the mounds in our gardens or on the Estate caused by moles and mole rats; however, it’s essential to know that these mounds aren’t necessarily bad. The subsoil, which the moles push up through the surface to create the mounds, is much more fertile than the topsoil we buy, plus it’s free of charge. The action of burrowing also aerates the soil and improves drainage. So next time you see a mound, remember how your garden can benefit from these small mammals – and don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.

The golden mole called a ‘kruipmol’ in Afrikaans (Chrysochloris asiatica), and the molerat, ‘blesmol’ (Georychus capensis) live in tunnels underneath our Estate and are perfectly adapted to subterranean living. The golden mole species include the Hottentot golden mole and Fynbos golden mole, while the Cape dune mole rat and common mole rat belong to the mole rat family.

The golden mole vs. the mole rat

The golden mole is an insectivore, which means it feeds on insects, worms and other invertebrates, whereas the mole rat is a herbivore, so it feeds on plants.

The mole rat is responsible for the mounds in your garden. They eat roots and bulbs, which stimulates growth and spreads bulbs and rhizomes by storing them in underground chambers.

Surface moles are often used to describe the golden mole as they live in runs just beneath the surface, while the mole rat lives in tunnels up to six metres underground.

The mole rat is part of the Gliridae (rodent) family, and the golden mole is part of the Talpidae (mole) family.

The golden mole is entirely blind and relies on hearing and smell to capture its prey.

The mole rat is the only animal with teeth outside its mouth because it uses its large incisors to dig, which helps it avoid getting soil in its mouth.