[2] Van Zyl's golden mole is about 80–90 mm (3.1–3.5 in) long and weighs about 20–30 g (0.71–1.06 oz).

Van Zyl's golden mole eats various invertebrates, as well as legless lizards, which grow to a length of about 20 cm (8").

[2] Van Zyl's golden mole was initially known only from Compagnies Drift, 16 km (9.9 mi) inland from Lambert's Bay, northwestern Cape Province, South Africa.

Another specimen was collected at Groenriviermond, approximately 150 km (93 mi) further north along the Namaqualand coast, in 2003.

Van Zyl's golden mole is threatened by continued loss of habitat.

For example, mining of coastal dunes for alluvial diamonds could lead to habitat degradation.

Habitat alteration associated with tourism developments along the west coast could also pose a problem for this species.