| Damaraland mole rat | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Bathyergidae |
| Genus: | Fukomys |
| Species: | F. damarensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Fukomys damarensis (Ogilby, 1838) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Cryptomys damarensis |
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The Damaraland mole rat, or Damaraland blesmol (Fukomys damarensis) is a burrowing rodent found in sub-Saharan Africa. Along with the smaller, less hairy naked mole rat, it is one of only two known eusocial mammals.
Named after Damaraland, Namibia, the Damaraland mole rat lives in continually excavated networks of underground tunnels,[2] 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.[3]
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.[2] The colonies are generally less numerous than those of the naked mole rat.
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