Tachyoryctes – African mole rats

The genus Tachyoryctes includes a group of African mole-rats commonly known as African root-rats or African mole-rats, though they differ from the more well-known naked mole-rats. These burrowing rodents are native to the highlands and savannas of eastern and central Africa, particularly in countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. They are part of the family Spalacidae, which includes rodents adapted to life underground. Tachyoryctes species are not as widely known as other mole-rats, but they are fascinating for their specialized digging behavior, solitary lifestyle, and important role in shaping their ecosystems.

These animals are robust and stocky, built for strength and stamina rather than speed. Most species have short limbs, small eyes, and powerful front claws used for digging. Their fur is typically short and dense, often brown or gray, which helps them move easily through tight underground tunnels. Unlike some other mole-rats that dig with their teeth, Tachyoryctes species mostly dig with their strong forelimbs, similar to true moles.

Tachyoryctes are generally solitary and territorial. Each individual maintains its own burrow system, which can be quite extensive, with separate chambers for nesting, storing food, and escaping predators. Their diet consists mainly of roots, tubers, and underground stems, which they locate using their keen sense of smell. They rarely surface, spending most of their lives in darkness, but their digging activity can leave visible mounds and tunnels that reveal their presence.