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May 4-5: The Gorilla Arrival Building will be closed for private events.
naked mole rat underneath log
All Animals

Naked Mole Rat

The life of naked mole rats is very similar to social insects, with a dominant queen, workers, and soldiers. These tiny animals can live up to 30 years, and young pups begin performing work behaviors (digging, sweeping) at 3 to 4 weeks of age.

Stable
Threatened
Endangered

Animal Facts

Scientific Name

Heterocephalus glaber

Range

Underground tunnels and burrows in eastern Africa

Location in the Zoo

Carruth Natural Encounters

Cool Animal Fact

Without hair or fur, they have a tough time keeping themselves comfortable. When cold, they reside in underground chambers close to the surface and when hot, they retreat to lower, cooler areas of the burrow. Colony members sleep together in a pile, which also helps them maintain their body temperature.