The extraordinary capabilities of the naked mole rat that does not age, is immune to cancer, fertile throughout life and capable of remaining without oxygen for up to 20 minutes have fascinated the scientific community.
As research progresses on the naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) Scientific interest is growing even more in revealing the evolutionary processes that have led this species to develop almost “extraterrestrial” biological capabilities. In BIOPARC Valencia a new litter of this mammal has recently been born and it is a unique opportunity to contemplate its behavior and learn about its very rare abilities, as it can be observed an entire colony in a recreation of the tunnels, galleries and rooms. The numerous people who visit the park these days show their astonishment not only at discovering a species that most are completely unaware of, but at being able to see perfectly how they feed, sleep, regulate their temperature or even the “queen” nursing the babies.
The mole rat has developed a social structure like insects, with a single queen that reproduces with a selection of males and the rest of the colony dedicated to care and defense.
Without a doubt, the adaptation to this underground habitat of East Africa is the reaction to the many and extraordinarily attractive peculiarities of the naked mole rat, especially considering that it is a mammal.
Firstly, its longevity, since it can reach 30 years, something impressive compared to rodents or moles that have a life expectancy of a few years. Your unique response to cellular senescence (process by which cells stop dividing and age) seems key to both their long life and the immunity to cancer. It is cold-blooded and regulates its temperature by joining or separating, as it lacks hair or body fat to protect it. It also breaks the rules to survive in environments with just a 10% oxygen and whoever is capable of resist up to 20 minutes with absolute absence of this vital element. Regarding reproduction, it has been found that reproductive females do not have menopause, that is, the number of eggs is not finite, but rather They continue to produce eggs and are fertile until they die.
BIOPARC offers the possibility of discovering this very strange animal and observing the behavior of the new litter in the galleries that faithfully recreate its habitat.
Draw attention to large mobile incisors that move independently and that they use to excavate the subsoil and to defend themselves. All these elements are important in the role assigned to the different individuals in the colony, since it is the only mammal with a social structure of insects such as bees or ants. There is a single queen who grows to be a third larger than the rest; Only she reproduces by mating with between one and three selected males; She inhibits the other females with pheromones and only the queen produces milk to nurse the young. The group of mole rats in the colony is responsible for necessary tasks such as feeding, cleaning, care or defense.
This exciting news about a very rare species is essential for understand the importance of protecting the planet's biodiversity and it comes at a truly unique time. Fruit of the commitment of the BIOPARC Foundation and the park's work in the conservation of threatened species, it is possible to see the evolution of the 5-month-old baby chimpanzee Cala, or the only two African elephants born in the Valencian Community, 4 month old Malik and Makena, just one year old.
