Naked Mole-Rat Heterocephalus glaber
Description
Naked mole rats have four protruding teeth on the outside of the lips. Their eyes are almost useless and their ears are just holes in the skin. They have wrinkled pinkish skin and are 3” to 4” long. Naked mole rats weigh around 3.6 oz. They are largely hairless, although covered by some thin hairs that are sensitive to vibration.
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Range
The range of the naked mole rat is East Africa: Southeast Ethiopia, Eastern Kenya and Somalia.
Habitat
The habitat of the naked mole rat is underground only. Naked mole rats will come to the surface to migrate to new groups. Usually 70 to 80 individuals form a colony. Underground passages are usually 7” deep; and single and two-lane passages as deep as 20" exist in grasslands and savannas.
Gestation
Gestation is about 10 weeks. Pups can walk in a few hours and east solid food at 3-4 weeks.
Litter
Usually 3 to 15 pups. Can have up to 4-5 litters per year
Behavior
Naked mole rats live in a large colony and have a cooperative social structure. They are burrowing rodents, virtually blind, and never eat food above ground. The naked mole rat is the only mammal with a social organization similar to bees, ants, and termites.
Reproduction
The naked mole rat colony is dominated by the only breeding female or queen. The queen has 1 to 3 mates. She mates almost every 3 months within about 1 week of her last litter.
Diet (Wild)
Tubers e.g. sweet potatoes. All moisture comes from food. Young eat a form of feces called a cecotroph to obtain beneficial bacteria that aids digestion.
Diet (Zoo)
Rodent pellets, yam, apple, carrot, corn, banana, kale
Conservation Status
Least concern
