Living in large colonies, the nearly blind naked mole-rat spends its entire life excavating tunnels underground in search of roots and tubers. The colony is led by a single breeding female called the queen that mates with several males. All other colony members forgo breeding to raisethe pups, forage, and maintain the burrow.
Naked Mole-rat
Heterocephalus glaber
Fact File
Where to see them: Insect World
Weight: 1 to 2 oz
Lifespan: Up to 16 yrs in captivity
Habitat: Savanna
Diet: Roots and tubersVideo
Teeth as Tools:Digging tunnels, gnawing roots, and defending against intruders are all functions of the naked mole-rat’s enormous incisors.
90-Second Naturalist 
