The dense, soft fur may be pale to reddish brown or buff gray on the upperparts; underparts are grayish or buff brown. Mole rats are either huge rats or the result of gene-splicing Kodiak bears with maladjusted lab rats. Among the several rodents referred to as “mole rats” (see zokor), the blind mole rat is among the most molelike in form, having a furred, cylindrical body, short limbs, and protruding incisor teeth. Spalax leucodon (Lesser Blind Mole Rat) is a species of rodents in the family Spalacidae. Omissions? Territorial and solitary, the blind mole rat excavates a network of burrows by digging with its incisors, pushing the loosened soil beneath its belly with its forefeet, and then kicking the pile behind itself with its hind feet. Zokors, root rats, and bamboo rats are spalacids sometimes referred to as mole rats. Omics : a Journal of Integrative Biology., 24(10), 592–601. Modern authors tend to separate this and some closely related mole rat species from other Spalax species by classifying them into a separate genus named Nannospalax. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Mammals Spalacidae Nannospalax Nannospalax leucodon Show related species. They're also remarkably resistant to cancer. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/animal/blind-mole-rat. Updates? They can be up to 40 cm long (including the tail), are considered a pest in the cereal crops and gardens of India and Sri Lanka, and emit piglike grunts when attacking. The level of polymorphism was tested on 36 individuals of blind mole rat from Doubroudja region, in South-Eastern part of Romania. The lesser mole-rat (Spalax leucodon) is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae found in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Israel, Turkey, Iran and Ukraine. Fortunately, they seldom run in packs larger than a half dozen or so. The presence of the lesser blind mole rat (mole rat hereafter) and its mounds are characteristic to the area (Németh et al., 2009). It is found in the Palearctic. Known occurrences, collected specimens and observations of Lesser Blind Mole Rat. Németh A, Révay T, Hegyeli Z, Farkas J, Czabán D, Rózsás A, Csorba G 2009. There are two genera of blind mole rats: lesser, or Mediterranean, blind mole rats (three species in the genus Nannospalax) and greater, or Ukrainian, blind mole rats (five species in the genus Spalax). 2005. There have been suggestions that its taxonomic position should change in the light of new scientific information. Mole rats have sharp claws and even sharper tusks that they use to tear great chunks of flesh from their prey. Semiaquatic rodents such as beavers, muskrats,…, mice, platacanthomyines, zokors, blind mole rats, and bamboo rats). 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They avoid sandy or hard clay deserts. Conference Home page; Subterranean rodents workshop; Programme and social events; Venue, accommodation, transport; Registration and abstract submission; Organisers, and contacts The ears are small and completely hidden in the coat. The lesser bandicoot rat, Sindh rice rat or Indian mole-rat (Bandicota bengalensis) is a giant rat of Southern Asia, not related to the true bandicoots which are marsupials. A cariological study showed that Nannospalax leucodon is a superspecies consisting of several cariologically distinct cryptic species. Sós E, Molnár V, Révay T, Németh A, Farkas J, Hidas A, Csorba G. Veterinarian participation at the critically endangered lesser blind mole rat (Nannospalax (superspecies leucodon)) research in Hungary. We describe here eight polymorphic microsatellite markers for Nannospalax leucodon, an exclusively subterranean and highly specialized rodent species which exhibits range contractions and population declines in Europe. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). By Monika Joshi. synonym; Lesser Mole Rat - Spalax leucodon; Species Details; Observations; Maps; Photos; Sounds; Statistics; On/in; Names; I've seen this species! During the wet autumn and winter, females build large mounds containing chambers where mating occurs and the young are reared. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The Upper Galilee Mountains blind mole -rat (Spalax galili) is an extant species of subterranean rodent within the family Spalacidae, indigenous to Upper Galilee in northern Israel.Following the identification of S. galili in 2001, Nevo et al. The African mole rats (genus Tachyorytes) and Central Asian mole rats are also members of the family Muridae but are not closely related, as they belong to different subfamilies.