Greater blind mole-rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greater blind mole-rat |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Spalax
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| Species: |
microphthalmus
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The greater blind mole-rat (Spalax microphthalmus) is a special type of rodent that lives underground. It belongs to the Spalacidae family. You can find these unique animals in parts of Russia and Ukraine.
Contents
What Does the Mole-Rat Look Like?
The greater blind mole-rat does not have a tail. Its eyes are covered by a layer of skin. This means the mole-rat is completely blind. It has very large front teeth, called incisors. These strong teeth are used to dig tunnels underground.
The fur of the mole-rat is usually grey. However, its color can change a bit. These animals can grow up to 31 centimeters (about 12 inches) long. They can also weigh up to 570 grams (about 20 ounces).
Where Do Mole-Rats Live?
The greater blind mole-rat lives in the steppes of Ukraine. Steppes are large, flat grasslands. They also live in southern Russia. Their home stretches between the Dnieper and Volga rivers.
They prefer flat areas with rich, dark soil. They avoid sandy or clay-like ground. You can find them in grasslands, forests, and even farms. Sometimes, they can be a pest in gardens. This is because they dig up plants.
Mole-Rat Behavior and Life
The greater blind mole-rat spends almost all its life underground. It is a fossorial animal, which means it is adapted for digging. Young mole-rats might come above ground. This happens when they are looking for new places to live. This is a very risky time for them.
These mole-rats usually live alone. They only meet other mole-rats during the breeding season. Since they are blind, they rely on other senses. They use their strong front teeth to dig their tunnels. Unlike moles, they do not use their paws for digging.
What Do Mole-Rats Eat?
The greater blind mole-rat is a herbivore. This means it eats only plants. It mainly eats the roots of plants. Some of its favorite foods are dandelions and chicory. It also eats the roots of young trees. The mole-rat digs tunnels to reach the roots from below.
They are very good at storing food. They collect extra food and keep it in their burrows. Sometimes, they can store as much as 14 kilograms (about 31 pounds) of food!
Mole-Rat Reproduction
Greater blind mole-rats usually have babies once a year. A mother mole-rat gives birth to two to five young. The babies are born in March.
Conservation Status
The greater blind mole-rat is generally a common animal. However, they are not found everywhere. Their population can be spread out in different areas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) checks on animals worldwide. They have listed the greater blind mole-rat as a species of "least concern". This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
