The Naked Mole Rat Exhibits Hive Behavior, Lives Up to 30 Years

The naked mole rat is a small, hairless rodent with wrinkled pink or yellowish skin. They measure about 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) long and weigh just a few ounces.

The teeth of naked mole rats are impressive in their own right. With the help of these large, protruding fangs, they dig through soil to the destination they're heading to in a hurry. Their teeth can move independently too, like tiny excavators.

East African mole rats are well-suited for life underground. Their lack of fur minimizes heat retention, which is essential in their warm, subterranean environment.

While their eyes are small and virtually useless, these nearly blind mole rats use their sensitive whiskers and skin help to navigate the dark tunnels of a burrow system like they have access to internal radar.

While Heterocephalus glaber is the primary species referred to as the naked mole rat, genetic studies suggest there may be regional variations among populations in East Africa.

These variations could represent subspecies adapted to specific local conditions. All naked mole rats share the same eusocial behaviors and physiological traits, but not all African mole rat species are "naked."

Naked mole rats have plenty in common with other other mole rats to which they're closely related, but their social structure and extreme adaptations make them unique among rodents.

Naked mole rats live in the dry grasslands and savannas of East Africa, including parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. These regions are characterized by arid conditions and nutrient-poor soils, making the mole rats’ underground lifestyle essential for survival.

Their elaborate tunnel systems can stretch for hundreds of feet (dozens of meters), with separate chambers for nesting, food storage and waste. These tunnels connect nest chambers and protect the colony from predators and the harsh surface environment.

Naked mole rats are herbivores, feeding primarily on underground tubers (such as sweet potatoes) and roots. They gnaw on these plants without killing them, allowing the food source to regrow over time. This sustainable feeding strategy ensures a steady supply of food for the colony.

Because of their slow metabolism, naked mole rats can survive on very little food. They also extract water from their plant-based diet, meaning they rarely need to drink.

Naked mole rat colonies function much like those of ants or bees. At the heart of the colony is the queen, the only female that reproduces. She is supported by a few breeding males and dozens of non-breeding workers who dig tunnels, forage for food and care for the queen's offspring.

Members of the colony have specific roles, with smaller individuals working as foragers and tunnel diggers, while larger individuals serve as soldiers to defend the colony.

Naked mole rats do not act independently; their survival depends on cooperation with other naked mole rats and their ability to function as a group in their complex underground burrow systems.

The life cycle of a naked mole rat revolves around the queen, who can live up to 30 years — an extraordinary lifespan for a rodent. She gives birth to litters of 10 to 30 pups, which the workers care for. The pups grow quickly and are soon integrated into the roles of the colony.

Unlike most mammals, naked mole rats do not undergo dramatic hormonal changes as they mature, except for the queen and breeding males. Workers remain non-reproductive unless the queen dies or is replaced.

Naked mole rats are not currently endangered, but their specialized habitats make them vulnerable to environmental changes. Habitat destruction and climate change pose potential threats to their underground ecosystems.

However, because they are not hunted and live in less populated areas, their populations remain stable for now.

Scientists continue to study naked mole rats for insights into aging, cancer resistance and social behavior, ensuring that these peculiar creatures will remain a subject of fascination for years to come.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then make sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.