The Noteworthy Naked Mole Rat Trivia Quiz

Answer: Heterocephalus glaber

The term, 'heterocephalus' means 'unequal head', and refers to the unusual shape of the naked mole rat's head. 'Glaber', on the other hand, means, 'hairless' or bald.

Answer: False

No, they are unusually resistant to it. The mechanism for this resistance isn't fully understood by science, however it is believed to be due to their unique metabolism and immune response.

Answer: True

Amazingly they can actually move their teeth like chopsticks. This is because of the flexible mandibular symphysis connecting both halves of the lower jaw.

Answer: around the Horn of Africa

Naked mole rats are native to the drier parts of the tropical grasslands of East Africa, predominantly southern Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, and Somalia.

Answer: underground

Naked mole rats live underground in burrows that are part of extensive tunnel systems that go on for up to 3 km (nearly 2 miles) and are approximately 2 m (over 6 feet) deep. In addition to tunnels, their burrows have nesting areas, toilet areas and separate feeding areas.

Answer: eusocial

They have a eusocial system much like ants and termites. There is a single breeding queen and one to three breeding males who coexist with a colony of non-breeding workers. The latter are suppressed reproductively and work together to keep the colony running.

Answer: they are nearly blind

Naked mole rats have very poor eyesight and are nearly blind. They are underground dwellers so eyesight isn't necessary for them. Their eyes are very small, their retinas are degenerated, and their optic nerves are atrophied. Although naked mole rats can detect changes in light, they cannot form visual images.

Answer: large tubers

The majority of their diet is massive tubers that they find while mining. One tuber is enough to sustain the colony for months or even years as the animals eat the inside and leave the outside. This allows the tuber to regenerate over time.

Answer: False

No, they use their incisors! Their jaws are very powerful, containing 25% of their muscle mass in that one area. They are able to seal their lips preventing dirt and debris from entering their mouths while digging.

Answer: 30 years

Some individuals have been known to live up to 37 years. They are very resistant to age related diseases such as heart disease and osteoarthritis due to their unique immune system.

Answer: one

There is only one queen at a time. She gives birth to the colony's young during her lifetime. The whole colony participates in caring for the young.

Answer: females fight for the right to become queen

Different subordinate females fight to take her place. These fights can become quite violent, even to the death. The most aggressive dominant female will win the position of queen, and her body will begin a transformation that allows her to become fertile.

Answer: pain

Naked mole rats do display an increased resistance to pain. They have a less efficient TrkA receptor, the nerve which transmits pain, as well as a lack of pain-related sensory fibres in the skin.

Answer: caring for injured comrades

Naked mole rat society is geared toward caring for the queen. That, combined with their own insensitivity to pain, makes it extremely unlikely that they would spend time caring for injured comrades.

Answer: False

Yes, they do. Honey badgers, several species of raptors, as well as some snakes dine on naked mole rats. The time they are most vulnerable to predation is when they are 'volcanoing' which is ejecting soil to the surface.