Facts about Naked Mole Rat: A Eusocial Mammal
- 05
A naked mole rat's teeth can be moved independently, allowing the incisors to be used like chopsticks to manipulate objects while digging tunnels.
- 04
Colonies of naked mole rats are led by a single reproductive female queen, whose hormonal dominance suppresses reproduction in all other females within the group.
- 03
Unlike virtually all other mammals, naked mole rats are cold-blooded in practice, unable to thermoregulate and instead relying on their environment to control body temperature.
- 02
Naked mole rats are remarkably long-lived for rodents of their size, with individuals surviving for over 30 years in captivity.
- 01
The naked mole rat is one of only two mammal species known to exhibit eusociality, a social structure featuring a single breeding queen, non-reproductive workers, and cooperative care of young.