Naked mole rats roam Riverbanks
Contributed by Riverbanks Zoo

Naked mole rats are on exhibit full- time at Riverbanks Zoo.

Twelve naked mole rats call Riverbanks home. The colony arrived from the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island last week.

They are a different species than the Damaraland mole rats that arrived last spring. While the Damaraland mole rats appear "fully clothed," complete with a striking tan and cream colored coat, the new mole rats look like their name suggests, naked.

"The naked mole rat is one of the most unique mammal species we currently house in the Riverbanks collection due to its unusual, hairless appearance," said John Davis, curator of mammals at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. "The small rodent- like mammal is about the size of the palm of your hand, and its skin is very wrinkly with a pinkish- gray tone."

The staff created an intricate tunnel system for the naked mole rats independent from that of the Damaraland mole rats. Each colony has a separate space complete with see- through tunnels and chambers visible from the lobby of the Zoo's Discovery Center.

Mole rats are community diggers and have razor- sharp front incisors used to cooperatively dig throughout their day.

Native to sub- Saharan Africa, wild naked mole rats typically live in underground burrows and dig tunnels in search of food and to avoid prey such as snakes. They identify chambers to use for separate purposes, for instance, feeding, nesting, sleeping and even one for a latrine.

The naked mole rats will be managed as a breeding colony. A queen mate will have one or two mates, producing litters of worker offspring that do not breed.

The colony has three males, eight females, and one juvenile. The group has reproduced in the past, and the staff anticipates breeding patterns will resume once the mole rats become adjusted to their new home.

Naked mole rats are one of the 12 species of rodents that share the Bathyrides family; their closest relatives are porcupines, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.

The naked mole rats are now on exhibit full- time.