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Common Mole Rat

Cryptomys hottentotus

Photo by JessicaSA
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Mole-like in appearance, grey-brown in colour, with large front incisors.

Habitat:

Found on the lawn in our garden, which is surrounded by bushveld. The soil in our area is rocky with sandy patches.

Notes:

We only just managed to save the poor animal from our dogs.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
KarenL
Fun fact! Common mole rats are perfectly adapted to their subterranean lifestyle, with chisel-like incisors that are used for digging, hair behind their teeth to prevent dirt and soil from getting inside of the mouth, and short-limbed cylindrical bodies that can easily maneuver inside of tunnels. Although they are considered pests in some areas because their burrowing activity damages human property, it also improves soil drainage and turnover. https://upload.facebook.com/projectnoah/photos/a.10150595289465603.674700.10150120463815603/10154184079945603/?type=1
JessicaSA
My father was very indignant because it was called the "common" mole rat, as he has never seen one in his life before.

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Mission
NWF: Watch for Wildlife!

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Photographed
PublishedMay 26, 2014

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