Naked Mole Rat – More Than Meets The Eye
The naked mole rat (*Heterocephalus glaber*), a fascinating rodent native to East Africa, is renowned for its unique adaptations that enable survival in harsh underground environments. Typically measuring between 3 to 4 inches in length and weighing around 1.1 to 1.2 ounces, these peculiar creatures are easily recognizable by their hairless, gray-pink skin and small eyes, which contribute to their poor vision. Their short, thin legs are specially designed for burrowing, allowing them to navigate their extensive tunnel systems, which can stretch up to three miles. Remarkably, naked mole rats can move both forwards and backwards with equal agility, making them adept at maneuvering through their subterranean homes.
In their natural habitat, primarily found in the dry tropical grasslands of Somalia, Kenya, and southern Ethiopia, naked mole rats live in colonies that can range from 20 to 200 individuals. These colonies operate under a complex social structure, characterized by a single queen and a few breeding males, while the remaining members serve as sterile workers. The queen, who can live for 13 to 18 years, is fiercely protective of her position, often displaying hostility towards other females. The workers are divided into two roles: tunnel diggers and soldiers, ensuring the colony’s safety and efficiency. Their diet primarily consists of large tubers found underground, which can sustain the colony for extended periods. Interestingly, they also consume their fecal matter, a behavior that aids in nutrient recycling and sustains their harsh lifestyle.
Despite their challenging living conditions, naked mole rats are not currently considered a threatened species, showcasing a remarkable resilience in their environment. Additionally, these extraordinary rodents have garnered attention in the scientific community for their unique biological traits, particularly their resistance to cancer. This characteristic has made them valuable in cancer research, as scientists seek to understand the mechanisms behind their longevity and health. As we continue to explore the adaptations and social structures of naked mole rats, we uncover insights not only into their survival but also into potential applications in human health and disease prevention.
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
).
