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Damaraland Mole Rat
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia;
Phylum:	Chordata;
Class:	Mammalia;
Order:	Rodentia;
Family:	Bathyergidae;
Genus:	Cryptomys;
Species:	C. damarensis;
Binomial name
	Cryptomys damarensis; (Ogilby, 1838)

The Damaraland Mole Rat, or Damaraland blesmol (Cryptomys damarensis) is a burrowing rodent found in sub-Saharan Africa. Along with the smaller, less hairy Naked Mole Rat, it is one of only two known eusocial mammals.

Named after Damaraland, Namibia, the Damaraland Mole Rat lives in continually excavated networks of underground tunnels,^[2] which it digs with its front teeth, which are essentially outside its mouth. Thus, while burrowing tunnels, it can bite away the soil in front of it while keeping its mouth closed.

The Damaraland Mole Rat lives in eusocial colonies of up to 40 individuals dominated by a single breeding pair.^[3]

Often compared to the Naked Mole Rat for its many characteristic similarities, the Damaraland species is different in several ways. Aside from being bigger and more hairy, it is also less vocal, making only some birdlike chirps.^[2] The colonies are generally less numerous than those of the Naked Mole Rat.

[edit] See also

Naked Mole Rat

[edit] Sources

^ Maree, S. & Faulkes, C. (2008). Cryptomys damarensis. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 5 January 2009.
^ ^a ^b Naked and Not: Science News Online, June 24, 2006
^ The Truth about Mole-Rats - National Zoo| FONZ

This article about a rodent is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[iucn-0] Maree, S. & Faulkes, C. (2008). Cryptomys damarensis. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 5 January 2009.

[sciencenews.org-1] Naked and Not: Science News Online, June 24, 2006

[2] The Truth about Mole-Rats - National Zoo| FONZ

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