34 



SOUTH AFRICAN MAMMALS 



hidden by the fur. An external tail is absent. The 

 family is confined to Africa, south of the Sahara. 



The genera are differentiated by the possession of 40 

 teeth in Chrysochloris and 36 in Avihlyosomiis, and the 



^Mk^ 



/" 





C' ■ -' <• > "^'ft . 





Fig. 7. — Golden Mole at earthmound. 



former by a swelling in the temporal fossa, of which the 

 latter has no trace. They live in underground burrows 

 or run close to the surface of the earth, and feed upon 

 worms, grubs, and the larvae of insects. The commonest 

 species are Ghrysochloris aurea, the Cape Golden Mole^ 

 and C. liottentota, the lied Golden Mole. 



