Naked Mole-rat

Heterocephalus Glaber
Mole rats have a complex society similar to insects in which only one female, the queen, reproduces; there are also workers and soldiers that maintain order and upkeep the expansive burrows.
They are native to east Africa, namely Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sudan, where they live in burrows that can be as long as 2 miles, several inches under the sandy soil.
This species is poorly equipped to thermoregulate its temperature leading to its dependence on outside heat.
Not only do they use their teeth for feeding on roots and tubers, mole rats use their 4 large incisors that are on the outside of the mouth to dig tunnels.

Location at Palm Beach Zoo

  • Naked mole-rat exhibit on west side of the Zoo

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