Hairless Mole Rat Facts

The naked mole-rat could live its whole life inside the burrow without seeing daylight. Because of this, they are very protected from predators. In fact, the only major predators they have are snakes, especially the rufous-beaked snake. Also because of their underground lair, they have adapted quite well to available food sources, which are roots, tubers, and all kinds of geophytes. They are strictly herbivores, with the exception of dead pups, which they will eat to conserve energy. The burrow has a large communal nest chamber, that is either unlined or partly floored with dry vegetation. Radiating outward are a series of foraging tunnels usually about 3 cm wide and 15-40 cm below the surface. One system was estimated to have more than 300 meters of such passages. There is much branching of the tunnels in the vicinity of food supplies. Bolt holes, reaching depths of about 70 cm, are sometimes present and may serve as emergency refuges. Above the burrow are the mounds of excavated earth, which are uniquely volcano-like in shape and in the presence of a central, unplugged hole. Digging is done primarily with the incisor teeth, and the feet are used to kick and push the loosened earth. An individual near the surface may work alone, but deeper burrowing is done by relay. One animal remains for a while at the earth face, loosening the soil and kicking it backward. Behind this animal is a chain of several others. When enough earth has accumulated, the first animal of the chain pushes the soil backward with its hind feet through the tunnel to a point near the surface and then takes a place at the end of the chain. Meanwhile, the other animals of the chain have advanced in position by straddling the one moving to the rear. Near the surface another individual remains for a while to collect the soil brought up by the others and kick it out through the central hole of the forming mound. At irregular intervals, this individual and the one doing the drilling are relieved by other members of the team.