Researchers in South Africa say they have rediscovered a mole species that has an iridescent golden coat and the ability to “swim” through sand dunes after it hadn't been seen for more than 80 years and was thought to be extinct.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Researchers in South Africa say they have rediscovered a species of mole with an iridescent golden coat and the ability to almost “swim” through sand dunes after it hadn’t been seen for more than 80 years and was thought to be extinct.

The De Winton’s golden mole – a small, blind burrower with “super-hearing powers” that eats insects – was found to be still alive on a beach in Port Nolloth on the west coast of South Africa by a team of researchers from the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the University of Pretoria.

It had been lost to science since 1936, the researchers said.

  • @[email protected]English
    3•1 year ago

    Was it lost? I remember watching a nature documentary about the bastards where they seemed to be alive and well.

    • mars296
      5•1 year ago

      The documentary you watched was probably on a different species. From the article:

      “With the help of a sniffer dog, the team found traces of tunnels and discovered a golden mole in 2021. But because there are 21 species of golden moles and some look very similar, the team needed more to be certain that it was a De Winton’s.”