Naked Mole Rat – More Than Meets The Eye
The naked mole rat, scientifically known as *Heterocephalus glaber*, is a fascinating rodent native to the dry tropical grasslands of East Africa, particularly in regions like Somalia, Kenya, and southern Ethiopia. Measuring between 3 to 4 inches in length and weighing around 1.1 to 1.2 ounces, these unique creatures are easily identifiable by their hairless, gray-pink skin and small eyes, which give them poor eyesight. Their short, thin legs enable them to navigate the intricate burrowing systems they inhabit, which can stretch up to three miles long and accommodate colonies ranging from 20 to 200 individuals. This underground lifestyle is supported by their remarkable adaptations to low-oxygen environments; they possess small lungs and blood that efficiently binds oxygen, allowing them to thrive even when oxygen levels are critically low. Notably, their metabolic and respiratory rates can decrease significantly during periods of drought or food scarcity, enabling them to survive in harsh conditions.
Socially, naked mole rats exhibit a complex hierarchical structure, with a single queen and one to three breeding males leading the colony. The rest of the members, which can number around 80, are sterile workers divided into specific roles: some dig tunnels and gather food, while others serve as soldiers to protect the colony. The queen, who can live between 13 and 18 years, is known for her aggressive demeanor towards rival females, ensuring her dominance within the colony. When the queen dies, a new female takes her place, showcasing the species’ unique social dynamics. Their diet primarily consists of large tubers found underground, which they consume carefully to ensure the plants can regenerate. Interestingly, naked mole rats also engage in coprophagy, eating their own fecal matter to maximize nutrient absorption.
Despite the challenges of their environment, naked mole rats are not currently considered a threatened species due to their widespread distribution and adaptability. Moreover, these remarkable rodents have garnered attention in the scientific community for their unique biological traits, particularly their resistance to cancer, making them valuable subjects for cancer research. Their ability to live without developing tumors has led to increased interest in understanding the genetic and cellular mechanisms behind their health, offering potential insights into cancer prevention and treatment for humans. Overall, the naked mole rat’s extraordinary adaptations and social structures not only highlight the resilience of life in extreme conditions but also underscore the importance of biodiversity in scientific research.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5DcOEzW1wA
The
naked mole rat
(
Heterocephalus glaber
) is a
rodent
, known for its burrowing and is indigenous to East Africa. The mole rat possesses a number of characteristics which allow it to survive in underground and harsh environments.
The average naked mole rat is between 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 centimeters) in length and weighs between 1.1 and 1.2 ounces (30 to 35 grams). They have small eyes, poor sight, and have legs that are quite short and thin. They are also able to move backward and forward at the same quick pace and have large teeth that allow them to dip. The term “naked” comes from the fact that they have very little hair and gray-pink skin.
The species is highly adapted to situations in which oxygen is limited within tunnels of their habitat. The lungs are small and their blood is greatly able to bond oxygen. They have very low metabolic and respiration rates. During periods of drought and hunger, the metabolic can decrease further to about 25% of its normal level.
The naked mole rat lives predominantly in the dry tropical grasslands in East Africa with large concentrations being concentrated in Somalia, Kenya, and southern Ethiopia. Groups of around 80 individual mole rats (although it can be as few as 20 and as many as 200) live within a complex burrowing system within the African desert. These tunnel systems can be quite long, between two to three miles in length.
There is a complex hierarchical structure where one queen and between 1 and 3 males reproduce, the other naked mole rats are workers and sterile. Dimorphism exists between the males, two forms of workers (tunnel digging/gathering and soldiers), and the breeding males. The breeding males and the queen can keep up their relationship for several years. The queens can live for a period of between 13 and 18 years and are quite hostile towards other females. Upon the death of the queen, another female will become queen in her place.
The naked mole rat mostly eats large tubers that they find underground during their mining exhibitions. However, they are also known for eating their own fecal matter. One tuber, depending upon its size, can feed a colony for several months or years as they only eat the inside of the tuber. They leave the outer parts so that the tuber is able to regenerate.
Naked mole rats are currently not a threatened species. Although their living conditions are tough, they are a widespread species.
Naked mole rats help in cancer research, because they never get cancer (
read here
).
