Naked Mole-ratハダカデバネズミ
Heterocephalus glaberLC— Least Concern
The naked mole-rat is a small, nearly hairless rodent native to the arid grasslands of East Africa, living entirely underground in large colonies. It is one of the very few eusocial mammals, with only a single breeding pair reproducing while the rest of the colony performs specialized roles. Remarkably, it can live more than 30 years — extraordinary longevity for a rodent its size — and shows notable resistance to cancer and pain.
Naked Mole-rat (reference photo)
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Species Data
- Classification
- Rodentia / Heterocephalidae Source
- Size
- Body length 8–10 cm
- Weight
- 30–35 g (breeding females may grow to around 80 g)
- Lifespan
- Record of 28 years 2 months in captivity, with reports of individuals exceeding 37 years
- Diet
- Herbivore Herbivorous, feeding mainly on underground tubers; a single colony may exploit a tuber weighing 1,000 times an individual's body weight over a long period
- Activity
- Living underground and unaffected by the light cycle, it is active around the clock with short bouts of sleep
- Distribution
- Native to the arid grasslands of East Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. Source
- Sources
- ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
Did You Know?
- It is one of the few eusocial mammals known, living in colonies of 10 to 290 individuals (typically 75–80) in which only a single breeding pair reproduces. Source
- Unlike most mammals, it has little ability to regulate its own body temperature, behaving more like an ectotherm and thereby conserving energy. Source
- A 2023 study found that serotonin inside senescent cells triggers a reaction producing hydrogen peroxide that eliminates aging cells, a mechanism thought to contribute to its unusually long lifespan for a rodent. Source
Where to See This Species
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 4
Kumamotoshi DoushokubutsuenKumamotoTake the tram bound for Kengun and get off at the Doshokubutsuen-Iriguchi stop, then walk 10 minutes.
Saitamakenkodomodoubutsu Shizen KouenSaitamaOpened in 1980
Sapporoshimaruyama DoubutsuenHokkaidoOpened in 1951
Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.
Conservation Story
Conservation Status
Least Concern (LC)
Sources
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FAQ
- Why is the naked mole-rat called eusocial?
- Like ants or bees, naked mole-rats live in colonies where only one breeding pair reproduces while other members are divided into non-reproductive worker roles — a rare social structure among mammals. Source
- How long do naked mole-rats live?
- Captive individuals have lived more than 28 years, with some records exceeding 37 years — an exceptional lifespan for a rodent of its size. Source
- Can naked mole-rats regulate their body temperature?
- Barely. Unlike most mammals, they have little internal temperature regulation and instead behave more like cold-blooded animals, which helps them conserve energy underground. Source
- How many operating facilities are registered here?
- Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 4 Source
Books & gear
Source: ja.wikipedia.org