Damaraland Mole Rat
Encyclopedia
The Damaraland Mole Rat, or Damaraland blesmol
(Fukomys damarensis) is a burrowing rodent
found in sub-Sahara
n Africa
. Along with the smaller, less hairy Naked Mole Rat
, it is one of only two known eusocial
mammal
s.
Named after Damaraland
, Namibia
, the Damaraland Mole Rat lives in continually excavated networks of underground tunnels, which it digs with its front teeth, which are essentially outside its mouth. Thus, while burrowing tunnels, it can bite away the soil in front of it while keeping its mouth closed.
The Damaraland Mole Rat lives in eusocial
colonies of up to 40 individuals dominated by a single breeding pair.
Often compared with the Naked Mole Rat
for its many characteristic similarities, the Damaraland species is different in several ways. Aside from being bigger and hairier, it is also less vocal, making only some birdlike chirps. The colonies are generally less numerous than those of the Naked Mole Rat
.
Blesmol
The blesmols, also known as mole rats, or African mole-rats, are burrowing rodents of the family Bathyergidae. They represent a distinct evolution of a subterranean life among rodents much like the pocket gophers of North America, the tuco-tucos in South America, or the Spalacidae.- Distribution...
(Fukomys damarensis) is a burrowing rodent
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
found in sub-Sahara
Sahara
The Sahara is the world's second largest desert, after Antarctica. At over , it covers most of Northern Africa, making it almost as large as Europe or the United States. The Sahara stretches from the Red Sea, including parts of the Mediterranean coasts, to the outskirts of the Atlantic Ocean...
n Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. Along with the smaller, less hairy Naked Mole Rat
Naked Mole Rat
The naked mole rat , also known as the sand puppy or desert mole rat, is a burrowing rodent native to parts of East Africa and the only species currently classified in the genus Heterocephalus...
, it is one of only two known eusocial
Eusociality
Eusociality is a term used for the highest level of social organization in a hierarchical classification....
mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
s.
Named after Damaraland
Damaraland
Damaraland was a name given to the north-central part of what later became Namibia, inhabited by the Damaras. It was bounded roughly by Ovamboland in the north, the Namib Desert in the west, the Kalahari Desert in the east, and Windhoek in the south....
, Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
, the Damaraland Mole Rat lives in continually excavated networks of underground tunnels, which it digs with its front teeth, which are essentially outside its mouth. Thus, while burrowing tunnels, it can bite away the soil in front of it while keeping its mouth closed.
The Damaraland Mole Rat lives in eusocial
Eusociality
Eusociality is a term used for the highest level of social organization in a hierarchical classification....
colonies of up to 40 individuals dominated by a single breeding pair.
Often compared with the Naked Mole Rat
Naked Mole Rat
The naked mole rat , also known as the sand puppy or desert mole rat, is a burrowing rodent native to parts of East Africa and the only species currently classified in the genus Heterocephalus...
for its many characteristic similarities, the Damaraland species is different in several ways. Aside from being bigger and hairier, it is also less vocal, making only some birdlike chirps. The colonies are generally less numerous than those of the Naked Mole Rat
Naked Mole Rat
The naked mole rat , also known as the sand puppy or desert mole rat, is a burrowing rodent native to parts of East Africa and the only species currently classified in the genus Heterocephalus...
.