蜜芽传媒

In this episode acclaimed writer Katherine Rundell introduces us to the golden mole - a creature so rare in its beauty, it seems almost mythical. Iridescent fur, shifting through black, silver, turquoise and gold, makes it one of the few mammals to glow.

Golden moles are miniature powerhouses. Their kidneys are so efficient that many species never need to drink water. Their hearing is extraordinary: the bone in their middle ear is so large and sensitive that they can detect the vibrations of insects moving above them. There are twenty-one known species, all found in sub-Saharan Africa - and more than half are threatened with extinction due to pollution and habitat loss.

Perhaps the greatest mystery is why they shine. Unlike butterflies or hummingbirds, which use iridescence to communicate or attract mates, the golden mole is blind and lives almost entirely underground. Scientists believe its shimmering fur evolved for low-friction burrowing - the glow is a by-product, not a signal. They burrow, breed and hunt, unaware of their brilliance -unknowingly shining.

Written and Presented by Katherine Rundell
Produced by Natalie Donovan for 蜜芽传媒 Audio in Bristol