Cape golden mole vs Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat

Chrysochloris asiatica compared with Nephelomys nimbosus

Key Differences

• Cape golden mole is Least Concern while Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Cape golden mole	Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Afrosoricida (Afrosoricida)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Chrysochloridae	Cricetidae
Genus	Chrysochloris	Nephelomys
Species	Chrysochloris asiatica	Nephelomys nimbosus

Evolutionary Relationship

Cape golden mole and Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Cape golden mole

LC — Least Concern

Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Cape golden mole	Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Cape golden mole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Colombia and Ecuador. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Cape golden mole

The Cape golden mole (Chrysochloris asiatica) is a species in the genus Chrysochloris. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.