This golden mole is recorded on South Africa’s west coast. Its dark-brown fur has a purplish sheen, and specimens are known from near Compagnies Drift and Groenriviermond.
Its small body is flattened and roughly lozenge-shaped. Silvery-violet reflections on scattered guard hairs give the back a spangled appearance.
In coastal white sand dunes, it makes underground runways. The roofs of shallow tunnels collapse almost immediately in the powdery sand, leaving surface furrows. After rain, fresh workings show as tiny surface cracks.
Deeper tunnels lead to the bases of bushes, with resting chambers protected by tangled roots. Following unsuccessful attempts to dig them out, animals were reported to leave the disturbed area overland the next night.
Handling elicited a sharp squeak, and animals were reported to feign death when first picked up or turned over.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.