#spalacidae

[all-mammal-creechur]

Chinese Bamboo Rat Rhizomys sinensis

Found in southern China, northern Myanmar, and northern Vietnam. Its habitat is bamboo thickets usually at high elevations, pine forests, and plantations.

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[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

For the Palestine mole rat, which lives almost entirely underground, finding other members of their species. Fortunately, this species has a special way of attracting potential mates: when the breeding season starts, males and females drum their heads against the roof of their tunnels. This sends vibrations through the ground that lets other mole rats know exactly where they are.

(Image: A Palestine mole rat (Nannospalax ehrenbergi) by Zuhair Amr et al.)

If you send me proof that you’ve made a donation to UNRWA or another organization benefiting Palestinians, I’ll make art of any animal of your choosing.

Remember, the donation can be in any amount-- every dollar counts!

[animalids]

Big-headed African mole rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus)

Photo by Jocelyn Ouellet

[all-mammal-creechur]

Giant Root Rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus

A rodent endemic to Ethiopia's Bale Mountains, also known as big-headed mole rat. While the other mole rats not only live but also feed underground, this species mostly forages above ground, by digging a new tunnel to a patch of herbage. It forages for about 20 minutes, until it has exhausted the supply of herbs about its tunnel, after which it blocks the tunnel it has built from the inside.

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[all-mammal-creechur]

Siberian Zokor Myospalax myospalax

The zokor are burrowing rodents related to mole-rats found in Russia and central Asia. They feed on roots underground, and studies showed that they preferred to keep the entrances to their burrows sealed at all times.

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[mammalianmammals]

Lesser Blind Mole-Rat (Nannospalax leucodon), family Spalacidae, Ukraine

Photograph by Максим Яковлєв

[justgoji]

The Lesser blind mole-rat, AKA Nannospalax leucodon.

[astronomy-to-zoology]

False Zokor (Myospalax aspalax)

...a species of spalacid rodent that is native to China, Mongolia and Russia. False zokors typically inhabit steppes and farmlands and other areas that have rich dark soft soil. They spend most of their lives in intricate burrow systems which they inhabit by themselves, and feed mainly on underground roots of a wide variety. of plants. Like other spalacids false zokors have short limbs with large claws which aid them in digging.

Classification 

Animalia-Chordata-Mammalia-Rodentia-Spalacidae-Myospalax-M. aspalax

Images: Andreas Buchheim