Naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber)
Habitat: Naked mole rats inhabit underground tunnels in grasslands and savannas of eastern Africa.
Diet: naked mole rats feed on geophytic plants such as roots, bulbs, and tubers which are accessible underground.
These rodents live in a state-organizing manner similar to that of bees and ants; this is known as eusocial (true social) organization. A colony consists of an average of 70 individuals. They rarely emerge from underground, spending their lives searching for food and rearing their young within their tunnels. They are practically blind.
Their lifespan is unusually long: while most rodents of similar size live only for a year or a few years at most, naked mole-rats can live up to 30 years. Their bodies possess highly efficient regeneration processes and slow aging. In recent years, they have become prominent subjects in human cancer research.
The members of the colony vary in appearance based on their roles: “soldiers” are significantly larger and responsible for exploration and defense, while “workers” are much smaller and primarily handle offspring care. The largest member is the queen, whose size is crucial for the continuous production and care of offspring.
The young nurse for about four weeks, though they begin consuming solid food alongside milk after just two weeks. They also consume the feces of other colony members (coprophagy); this is not only an important source of nutrients but also provides the essential bacteria required for their digestive systems to function properly.
Rodentia / Bathyergidae
IUCN Redlist: LC (Least Concern)
