Quick Take
- One mammal defies the most fundamental rule of warm-blooded biology, and it is not a fringe species scientists just discovered. Overview of unique traits →
- Their oxygen tolerance pushes into territory that should be lethal for any mammal. So how do they pull it off? See their oxygen adaptations →
- These animals behave less like mammals and more like a species you'd never expect, and the reason for this is buried underground. Explore their colony behavior →
Naked mole rats are among the strangest mammals on Earth. While their appearance can be a bit off-putting, it’s their different traits, behaviors, and adaptations that make them so special. Scientists especially value them for these unique traits, including the fact that they are one of the only cold-blooded mammals on Earth. This Instagram reel by @natxios talks about some of these traits. Read on to learn more about the naked mole rat.
Naked mole rats are similar to ant colonies, as they have soldiers that guard their homes.
©Neil Bromhall/Shutterstock.com
Cold-Blooded Mole Rat
The naked mole rat is one of the most unique animals ever. While technically mammals, they are cold-blooded like reptiles and behave more like insects in a colony. Native to dry regions in East Africa, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, naked mole rats spend almost their entire lives underground. These mole rats dig extensive underground tunnel systems, which can reach a combined length of up to 3 miles.
A colony of mole rats can reach 300 individuals with a single breeding queen and a few breeding males. Other mole rats serve as workers or soldiers, making them more akin to ants than to other mammals. They can survive in these harsh underground conditions thanks to a few adaptations. They have a slow metabolism and are highly efficient at using oxygen, allowing them to survive with very little oxygen. Naked mole rats also have a high tolerance for carbon dioxide, making their underground home ideal for them.
One of their strangest traits is that they are ectothermic. Most mammals are endothermic, or warm-blooded, while mole rats are cold-blooded. This is because the body temperature of naked mole rats changes with the temperature of their environment. Temperatures underground are much more stable than above ground, so they do not have to constantly produce body heat to stay warm. Instead, if needed, they huddle together in large piles to share body heat. Naked mole rats are truly among the most remarkable mammals on the planet.
