NAKED MOLE-RAT
Heterocephalus glaber
Mammal
Order Rodentia
Description
From nose to tail they are 3.25 in., tail is 1.5 in., and
weight is 1-2 ounces. The queen may weigh as much as 3 ounces. The animal
appears to be naked at first glance, but a few pale-colored hairs are scattered
about the head and tail, there are prominent whiskers and a fringe of fine
hair is present along the edges of the feet. Has no sweat glands or a subcutaneous
fat layer like other mammals - that is why the skin is so wrinkly. Color:
skin is pinkish or yellowish in color. Short, broad head, minute eyes, and
no external ears, and very prominent incisor teeth.
Range
Africa (Central and eastern Ethiopia, central Somalia, and
Kenya).
Status
Not protected in international trade.

Photos by Greg Neise |
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Ecology
- Habitat
- Found only in arid conditions and lives in an extensive and complex
burrow system.
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- Niche
- Herbivorous: feed mainly on roots, tubers and corms (underground stem
base bearing scaly or membranous leaves). Preyed upon by burrowing reptiles.
Life History
Only known mammal that lives in a eusocial system (truel y social) consisting
of 20-300 individuals, like that of bees, wasps, ants and termites. Divided
into classes of hierarchy amongst the groups. One dominant, breeding female
and 1-3 dominant breeding males. With them are 2-3 other non-working rats
(soldiers) to take care of them and protect the colony when needed. The
rest are workers that dig the tunnels and find food. They have up to 5 litters
in a year that consist of 1-27 young. Newborns are blind and naked. The
young are weaned 1-2 months and join the workers in the colony. Life span
15-20 years in captivity.
Special Adaptations
- Strongest jaw muscle for a mammal its size.
- Poorest capacity for thermoregulation of any known mammal. Body temperature
is 88 degrees F. The stable temperatures in the burrows help maintain their
body temperature.
- Females aggressive dominance keeps other females from breeding.
- All members of the group huddle together when sleeping
- Incisor teeth used for digging.
- Excess skin on sides of mouth fold in to prevent soil from being swallowed.
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