Bukovina blind mole-rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bukovina blind mole-rat |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Spalax
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| Species: |
graecus
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The Bukovina blind mole-rat (Spalax graecus) is a special type of rodent. It lives underground and is found in parts of Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. It's called "blind" because it doesn't have visible eyes, and it spends most of its life digging tunnels.
What's in a Name?
The scientific name for this mole-rat is Spalax graecus. The word graecus means "Greek." This name, and an old common name "Balkan blind mole-rat," came from a mistake!
Scientists first thought the very first mole-rat of this kind ever studied was found near Athens, Greece. But later, in 1969, they realized it was actually found far away, near Chernovtsy, Ukraine. So, the name was a bit misleading!
For a while, scientists also thought this mole-rat had different types, called subspecies, living in different areas. But in 2013, new studies looked closely at their bodies and their DNA. These studies showed that some of those "types" were actually completely different species of mole-rats! This means the Bukovina blind mole-rat's true home is much smaller than people once thought.
About This Mole-Rat
These mole-rats have a long body that looks like a tube. They don't have a visible neck, and their legs are not very strong. This helps them move easily through their underground tunnels.
The Bukovina mole-rats are blind. They don't have any outer ears either. Living underground, they don't need to see or hear in the same way as animals that live above ground.
Where It Lives
You can find the Bukovina blind mole-rat in a small area of Eastern Europe. This includes northeastern Romania, southwestern Ukraine, and northwestern Moldova. Part of this area is known as the historical region of Bukovina.
These mole-rats like to live in open grassy areas called steppe. They also make their homes in pastures, farm fields, and even fruit orchards. They dig complex tunnel systems where they find food and raise their young.
Dangers to the Mole-Rat
The biggest danger to the Bukovina blind mole-rat is modern farming. This is called intensive agriculture. It means using big machines and chemicals to grow a lot of crops.
When farms become more intensive, the mole-rats lose their homes. Their tunnels can be destroyed, and they might not find enough food. This type of farming has already caused problems for other mole-rat species in the same area.
Romania joined the European Union in 2007. This might lead to more intensive farming in the future. If this happens, it could put the Bukovina blind mole-rat at even greater risk. Protecting their natural habitats is important for their survival.
