Biology:Ansell's mole-rat

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Short description: Species of rodent

Ansell's mole-rat
Fukomys anselli.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Bathyergidae
Genus: Fukomys
Species:
F. anselli
Binomial name
Fukomys anselli
(Burda, Zima, Scharff, Macholán & Kawalika, 1999)
Synonyms

Cryptomys anselli

Ansell's mole-rat (Fukomys anselli) is a species of rodent in the family Bathyergidae. It is endemic to Zambia. Its natural habitats are moist savanna and miombo forests. It is noted for its very long tunnels, up to 2.8 km (1.7 mi) for a single colony of only ten individuals.[2] The colonies are made of a eusocial system. They include a main reproductive king and queen that are thought to be faithful to one another.[3]

Ansell's mole-rats (Fukomys anselli) develop their underground habitat using their anatomical features such as body shape, chiseled teeth, and large jaws to dig through the soil. These long tunnels often branch off at various levels in the soil which allow mole-rats to create the space needed for their survival, such as searching for plants, creating food storage areas, and communicating with other nearby family groups.[4]

References

  • Woods, C. A. and C. W. Kilpatrick. 2005. pp 1538–1600 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.


Wikidata ☰ Q724983 entry