| |
|
| Naked mole rat | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||||
| Heterocephalus glaber | ||||||||||||||||
The Naked Mole Rat or Sand Puppy, Heterocephalus glaber, is a very unusual burrowing rodent native to arid parts of East Africa. It is the only species currently classified in genus Hetercephalus
Naked Mole Rats live underground in a complex system of burrows. They have a complex social structure in which only one or two individuals reproduce. While typical individuals are 8-10cm long and weigh 30-35gm, the reproductive females are larger and may weight over 50gm. This eusocial organisation, similar to that found in ants and bees, is believed to be unique among mammals.