True to its name, this rodent is completely blind and spends nearly its entire life underground, digging an extensive network of tunnels with its powerful front teeth. Unlike most animals, the greater blind mole-rat doesn’t use its front paws to dig — instead, it chomps through soil with its large, ever-growing incisors, which stick out in front of its lips so it can chew without getting a mouthful of dirt. It might not be a flashy animal, but it’s a master of life beneath the surface.

This mole-rat is stocky and compact, with a short tail, small ears hidden under its fur, and tiny, skin-covered eyes that are practically useless. Instead of vision, it relies heavily on touch, vibration, and smell to navigate and survive. Its body is covered in soft, dense fur that ranges in color from grayish-brown to yellowish, helping it blend in with the soil when above ground — which is rare. These animals are solitary and territorial, meaning one mole-rat will defend its burrow system fiercely against intruders. Their tunnel networks can stretch for hundreds of meters and include chambers for food storage, nesting, and even waste — making their underground homes surprisingly organized.

Greater blind mole-rats are herbivores, feeding mostly on roots, bulbs, and underground plant parts. They’re expert foragers, able to detect the chemical signatures of nearby plants from within their tunnels. Once they find a good patch, they dig tunnels around the roots and pull them down into their food chambers. They don’t need to drink water directly, getting all the moisture they need from the plants they eat. This adaptation allows them to thrive even in dry steppe and grassland environments, where surface water may be limited.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Russia

2023

European Russia

Ukraine

2023