habitat_narrative

Terrestrial

Eremitalpa g. granti are limited to the Strandveld and Succulent Karoo biomes of South Africa. They prefer soft sands of coastal dune crests but are also present in inter-dune swales with quite dense vegetation as long as sand is not too consolidated. Areas containing scattered clumps of the Dune Grass (Aristida sabulicola), Ostrich Grass (Cladoraphis spinosa) and Long Bushman Grass (Stipagrostis ciliata), are the preferred habitats for this subspecies. The young are thought to be born in tunnels constructed by adults, but they lack a proper burrow system. Resting sites are usually under vegetation. It is a nocturnal surface forager that specializes on termites, but also consumes other invertebrates and small vertebrates (legless lizards, web-footed geckos and sand-burrowing skinks). It is nocturnal during hot summer months, with greater diurnal activity observed during winter (Fielden et al. 1990a, 1990b, 1992; Rathbun & Rathbun 2007). It has occasionally been recorded from arable land and rural gardens (for example, near Lamberts Bay).

Ecosystem and cultural services: This subspecies is not known to provide any specific ecosystem services, but this may simply reflect the paucity of information available for this poorly known subspecies. Eremitalpa granti has, however, commonly been recorded as a prey species for Barn Owls (Tyto alba). Additional predators such as Pied Crows (Corvus alba), Pale Chanting Goshawks (Melierax canorus), Spotted Eagle Owls (Bubo africanus), Striped Polecats (Ictonyx striatus) and Black-backed Jackals (Canis mesomelas) have also been documented (Skinner & Chimimba 2005).