From: itannman@dogbert.ucdavis.edu (Ann Mansker)
Subject: Mammal of the Week: Herterocephalus glaber
Date: 14 Nov 1997 06:03:07 GMT
Newsgroups: ucd.life


The mammal of the week is Herterocephalus glaber, the Naked Mole Rat.  This
interesting rodent is native to the hot, semi-arid plains of northeastern
Africa. Though not endangered, they are rarely seen as they live entirely
underground in extensive burrows, not even surfacing to find mates.

Loose-skinned, nearly blind and hairless, the Naked Mole Rat is only 3 to 5
inches long.  Unlike other mammals of its size, its metabolic rate and body
temperature are very low.  Its normal body temperature of 88 degrees F is
roughly equivalent to the temperature if the burrow.  The Naked Mole Rat is
unusual in other ways, as well.  Most burrowing animals have powerful front
claws which they use for digging. This is not the case for Naked Mole Rats.
They dig with their teeth; loose skin around their mouths folds across to
prevent dirt from getting in.  This adaptation is clearly visible in this
image:  http://www.efn.org/~rainas/molerat.jpg .

The attribute that is of greatest interest to researchers is the Naked Mole
Rat's social system, which is unique among mammals. Each colony consists of
an extended family headed by the sole breeding female.  The female's mate or
mates (up to three) are the largest, strongest males.  The rest of the
colony is divided up by size into different castes performing specialized
tasks, much like ants or termites.  Since the rats never emerge from their
burrows except under extreme duress, the colonies are highly inbred, with
the dominant female breeding with the strongest males regardless of their
blood relationship to her.

This episode of Mammal of the Week has been brought to you by the Friends of
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