Mole rats are a genus of mammals from the mole rat family of the order of rodents. Includes about 4 species, of which the most common are the common and giant mole rats. Leads an underground lifestyle.
Description and features
The mole rat belongs to the category of rodents. In the process of evolution, he completely adapted to life underground, which affected his appearance:
- it has a small body, up to 32 cm long;
- the weight of the animal can reach 1 kg;
- ears are missing;
- the paws and tail are short, therefore practically invisible;
- the body is covered with soft dark fur;
- the eyes atrophied and lost the ability to see. Due to the folds of the skin, they became completely invisible.
The mole rat in the photo looks like a mysterious and shy creature.
Description of the rodent
Photo of a mole rat
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The body length is from 23 to 30 cm, the tail is short. There are no ears, the eyes are atrophied and hidden under the skin, which is why the animal got its name. The legs are short, the hands and feet are slightly widened. The claws are large, but smaller than those of the zokor. The fur is short, thick, very soft, without lint. All sense organs are well developed, only vision is missing. Elongated tactile hairs grow near the mouth, on the cheeks, forehead, abdomen and behind the body.
What is the difference between a mole rat and a mole?
Some people mistakenly confuse these rodents with moles, but they are completely different animals. There are two main differences between them:
- The mole rat is much larger.
- The mole builds its tunnels with the help of its paws, but the second one has them poorly developed and has small claws, so it carries out construction work thanks to its front incisors.
- Moles feed on insects, and mole rats prefer roots and plant stems.
Nutrition
The giant mole rat feeds on the roots of any plants that it comes across while moving. It also gnaws on tubers, bulbs, and sometimes eats the plant itself. The rodent prefers to eat plants of the following types:
- legumes;
- Asteraceae;
- Lamiaceae;
- cultivated (carrots, potatoes, beets, turnips).
In summer, a mole rat can eat as much food as it weighs in a day. And in winter it eats its reserves from the pantries; energy is partially replenished from fat under the skin.
Kinds
In nature, there are several species of rodents that differ in color, size and place of residence:
- The common or South Russian mole rat has a gray-brown color. It belongs to the most common species. Lives on the territory of Moldova, Ukraine, Russia. Its soft skin is beginning to be used for making fur coats, but not in large quantities, which is why the common mole rat is not yet listed in the Red Book as an endangered species. It is also characterized by a stable population, thanks to which the number of these animals is maintained.
- The giant mole rat is the largest representative, weighing up to a kilogram. It has a light gray or brown coat color. Older individuals have white spots on the head and body. This species is characterized by poor reproduction, which is why it is included in the Red Book of Russia and the International List of Nature Conservation.
- The sandy representative is similar in appearance to its giant relative. Prefers to live in the forest-steppe and near the Dnieper. The rodent is also under protection.
- The Podolsk species is relatively small in size. It is on the verge of extinction and is therefore considered an endangered species.
- The white-toothed is the smallest rodent, whose length barely reaches 20 cm. Its characteristic dark brown color. The mole rat lives in Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece.
- The Bukovinian representative is slightly different from other species in the shape of its head. This species is found in European countries.
Distribution of the mole rat
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The distribution area of this species includes Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. Mole rats live in steppes, forest-steppes and deserts.
The population density varies over a very wide range, reaching 20 or more individuals per hectare, and in general it is quite stable and not subject to sudden changes. The optimal population density of mole rats is 3 individuals per hectare; if the number of rodents decreases to 1-2 individuals per hectare, then the risk of population degradation increases. The population size of mole rats fluctuates with significant changes in environmental conditions, for example, both droughts and increased soil moisture, as well as plowing of land, have a negative impact on it.
Lifestyle and habitat
The family of rodents, depending on their habitat, is divided into 4 species, which prefer to live in the desert, forest-steppe, steppe and on the outskirts of forests. They are widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Animals spend almost their entire lives underground. There they set up entire labyrinths, where they feel very comfortable.
An interesting fact is that fleas that parasitize rodents have also evolved and lost their vision. Soils of moderate density are suitable for mole rats. They avoid clay and sandy soil. Rodents choose pastures that have lush vegetation. are often found in the garden .
Features of housing construction
Animals dig out their burrows with their teeth. Even the head is involved in the construction of the labyrinth. The animal bites into the soil with its front teeth and pushes out excess soil from its home using its spade-shaped head. The lower jaw is also adapted for construction work. Thanks to the muscles, the incisors can move.
Due to the construction of the tunnel, the front teeth are ground down, but they quickly grow back, so the construction is even useful for the underground dweller. Individuals who live in captivity suffer greatly due to overgrown incisors. Because of them, mole rats cannot close their mouths.
The animal’s nose is also adapted for construction work. It is covered with keratinized skin, which protects it from mechanical injury when tearing up the ground. On one hectare you can find from 2 to 10 individuals. The animals actively build labyrinths in the spring, and from the summer they lead a more passive lifestyle. The underground dweller does not go into hibernation.
The warm-blooded mole rat builds its housing in several tiers:
- First comes the block, which is located at a depth of 20-30 cm. It is called the food block. The animal stores food reserves in it.
- The second block is located at a depth of about 4 meters. It contains a storage room, summer and winter nests.
In winter, the labyrinth is closed with earth and does not open until spring. One tunnel covers an area of up to 450 m. It contains about 10 storage rooms. If there is a lot of earth on the surface, the animal breaks out a new exit. It is always closed during the daytime. The animal becomes active at night and in the afternoon.
Underground inhabitants lead a solitary lifestyle. They diligently protect their territory from other individuals. In the event of an invasion, clashes occur between males, which can result in the death of one of them.
The character and lifestyle of the mole rat
While moles loosen the soil with their front paws, sand mole rats use powerful incisors. The piles of earth after their activity remain larger than those of moles, reaching about 0.5 m.
Pictured is a sand mole rat
The weight of one such pile can reach 10 kg. From 3 to 20 representatives of this species live on 1 hectare of land. The most active period of life of these rodents falls in the spring months. In summer and winter they become less active, but do not hibernate. The labyrinths of passages of giant mole rats are special in their structure.
Their distinctive feature is the tiered tunnel system. So, the top floor of “such a building” is considered food; it is located at a depth of 25 cm. On this tier, rodents collect food: tubers, plant rhizomes. On the second floor there are tunnels, summer and winter nests and storage rooms. It is located deeper - 3-4 m.
In winter, the entrance to these underground galleries is clogged with earth, and the animal lives here until the onset of warmer times. The total area of such labyrinths is 450 m. The number of food pantries in such an area can reach 10 pieces, and winter supplies can be 10 kg. This is such a thrifty animal.
The lifestyle of giant mole rats is solitary. They carefully guard the borders of their territory. Sometimes, collisions between two males end in clashes over territory with fatal results. Their activities cause enormous harm to agriculture.
Signs of a mole rat in the garden are mounds of earth. They not only spoil the aesthetic appearance of the site, but also destroy the crop. The crops most affected by these underground animals are corn, legumes, carrots, beets and potatoes. In just one day, 1 individual can damage 4-6 root crop bushes. A mole rat has taken up residence on your property, how to deal with it ?
You can get rid of this pest by re-digging the soil. This is how I destroy the feeding tiers of their passages. It happens that they are repelled by an unpleasant smell, so you can use special commercial repellers. One of the control options is to catch the mole rat by hand. To do this, a fresh entrance to the hole is determined and another entrance is looked for. Then the section between them is excavated.
Pictured is a giant mole rat
This animal does not tolerate drafts, so it will try to repair the damage. It is at this moment that this pest can be caught. drive a mole rat using water. They find a mound of earth mixed with clay and pour water into the hole nearby.
Reproduction and lifespan
Mole rats live from 2 to 9 years. Life expectancy depends on their living conditions. The number of animals is negatively affected by loosening the soil, drought and excessive moisture. Mole rats have few natural enemies, since they spend almost their entire lives underground. They are hunted only by the steppe polecat, which penetrates into their home. When young animals settle on the surface, they can become prey for a fox or a bird of prey.
Despite their solitary lifestyle, during the breeding season rodents form families, which consist of a male and two females. Individuals that live in the neighborhood converge with each other. The male makes a passage underground to the female, who during the mating season creates certain sounds, inviting him to her.
In such a family, cubs appear one after the other. One female gives birth in the first year, and the other in the second. Between February and May, 2-3 babies are born. A newborn is born without fur and its weight reaches only 5 grams, but the baby grows quickly.
When the young animals turn one year old, the cubs are settled into tiers - the girls move to the top, and the boys remain on the bottom. When they turn 3 years old, they are considered adults and begin an independent life.
Natural enemies
Steppe polecat on the hunt photo
The mole rat has few natural enemies, since it leads an underground lifestyle. The main threat to him is the steppe polecat, which preys on mole rats in his burrows. Young animals settling on the surface are hunted by foxes and large birds of prey. Mole rats are also parasitized by ticks, fleas and helminths.
Harm of mole rats to humans
There is a difficult relationship between rodents and people. Animals cause great damage to summer cottages and cause colossal losses to farmers. One animal can destroy an entire season's harvest. He makes large stocks in his pantries, stealing vegetables from summer residents and farmers. In a day, the pest is able to drag away 6 bushes of root crops.
Excavated underground labyrinths also cause a lot of trouble. A summer cottage with heaps of earth piled up is not a very attractive sight. If you step on an underground passage, you can easily fall into it up to your ankles. The inconvenience of tunnels is also felt on field roads, which the animal mole rat also does not avoid.
Origin of the species and description
Photo: Giant mole rat
The giant representative of the mole rat family belongs to the burrowing rodents, along with the zokor and the bamboo rat. It is believed that this is the oldest branch in the order of mice. Previously, it was assumed that each species of this family evolved and adapted to life underground independently, but later studies proved their relationship and united them into one monophyletic group.
Representatives of mole rats were found in the early Pliocene from the western regions of Ukraine, to the north of the Volga region, in the Ciscaucasia, and in the Trans-Urals. Cytogenetic studies have confirmed the fractional system of the genus Spalax Güldenstaedt - mole rats. Fossil remains of the giant mole rat from a period earlier than the beginning of the Halocene have not been found.
Video: Giant mole rat
Previously, this species of mole rat was considered a subspecies of the common mole rat, despite significant differences in color and size. The classification of these animals into separate subgenera based on the holes on the occipital part is untenable. Studies have shown that the lesser mole rat does not have holes, but only small pits and their number may vary. Most often there are two of them, but sometimes there are one or three; the giant has one pit.
The genus of mole rats includes, in addition to the giant one, four more species:
- ordinary;
- sandy;
- Bukovinian;
- Podolsk
In addition, there is a genus of lesser mole rats, which includes the lesser, Palestinian and nonring mole rats. Animals differ in appearance and size, as well as in habitat; their lifestyle is similar. The animals are actually blind; there are no traces of their reduced eyes left; they are hidden under the skin.
Methods of pest control
In the fight against mole rats, poisons that are intended for baiting rats and moles, traps, traps and cats are actively used. The use of poison remains the most effective method in the fight against rodents.
Chemicals must be used with great care. After all, they can also attract curious or hungry pets. It is also necessary to take into account the degree of toxicity of the substance used, because it can get into the soil and cause harm to the owner.
The following pesticides are very popular among farmers:
- "Brodifan" is available in liquid form. They impregnate the bait; 1 kg will require 20 g of Brodifan. On the 4th day after consuming the poison, mole rats will begin to experience attacks of suffocation. They can come to the surface and die over time.
- “Testox” is produced in the form of red briquettes, weighing 10 g. They have a pleasant aroma of peanuts, sunflowers, vanilla and cheese. Its action is similar to the drug Brodifan. On the 4th day, the animals experience attacks of suffocation, and on the 6th day they die due to paralysis of the respiratory system.
- The drug "Storm" is considered one of the most effective. It was developed by the German company BASF. The substance is produced in the form of blue briquettes. “Storm” has a strong aroma that will definitely attract pests.
Natural enemies of giant mole rats
Photo: Giant mole rat
Secretive animals leading an underground lifestyle have almost no enemies in nature. Young animals are most often attacked during relocation. They can be hunted by foxes, large birds of prey, and animals of the mustelid family.
Interesting fact: A mole rat that accidentally finds itself on the surface of the earth first freezes, apparently trying to orient itself, and then begins to spin around in place, backing away, after which it tries to burrow underground as quickly as possible.
Those passages and holes that the rodents left are occupied by predatory animals: bandages, weasels, light and black ferrets.
Interesting fact: In autumn, the light-colored ferret often starts hunting for mole rats. Through unclosed feeding holes, it penetrates into the labyrinth of passages, moves along them, finds the owner and kills, eats the prey, and occupies the hole. At other times of the year, this predator feeds on voles, gophers, and mice.
The sections of feeding passages that are not used by the blind digger are inhabited by gophers, voles, and hamsters.
Human agricultural activities and plowing of meadows and steppes cause harm to mole rats. But since this species often lives in semi-desert areas that are not promising for agriculture, in these regions there is no danger of extermination of rodents by humans. The animal can be hunted by burrowing dogs, and young migrating rodents by cats.
In gardens, people use various methods of scaring away these animals, as well as traps and snares. But since rodents do not come to the surface, this kind of trapping is not effective. The best way is vibration and ultrasonic repellers.
Is it worth using traps?
Mole rats have excellent intelligence, thanks to which they deftly avoid traps and various kinds of traps. Elderly individuals sense danger especially well. It is almost impossible to lure them into a trap.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the animals live deep underground, where it is simply impossible to reach with a trap. In any case, you need to try and use some cunning. Suddenly the underground dweller loses his vigilance and falls into a trap.
To set a trap, you need to find a tunnel dug by the rodent and dig a hole in it, at least 1 meter deep. The mole mole does not like drafts, so it will crawl out of the hole to seal the passage, and this is where the installed trap comes in handy, which needs to be covered with plywood on top for camouflage.
The rodent has a good sense of human odor, so you need to wear gloves when setting the trap. All parts of the structure should be treated with onions, which with their pungent aroma will cover the human smell.
Repellent methods of control
Animal lovers who feel sorry for destroying mole rats can use repellents. Although they will not destroy the enemy, they can force them to leave the area. Pests have a good sense of smell, so you can throw a piece of fabric soaked in kerosene or diesel fuel into their hole. The underground inhabitants will perceive them as a threat and leave the area.
Mole rats cannot tolerate the smell of wormwood, elderberry, mint, medicinal blackroot and imperial hazel grouse, the unpleasant aroma of which comes from the bulb itself. If you plant such plants on a site, you can hope that the rodent will bypass it. Mole rats do not like excessive noise, so you can make your own repeller that will help drive them out:
- A piece of reinforcement is driven into the ground so that 40 cm remains above the surface.
- They put an empty metal can on it and wait for windy weather.
- From the gusts, the bank will begin to hit the reinforcement, and an unpleasant noise will spread underground.
Special devices that emit ultrasound are effective in pest control. When buying such a device, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Radius of action. It will not be possible to save the site with the help of one device. You need to immediately purchase several ultrasonic emitters.
- Availability of settings. It must be possible to change frequencies. Otherwise, rodents will get used to them and stop avoiding the area.
The advantage of such equipment is that it repels other pests. The site will remain under reliable security.
Where does the giant mole rat live?
Photo: Giant mole rat Red Book
The distribution area of this endemic rodent with an underground lifestyle is small.
It is found:
- in semi-desert areas in the northeast of Ciscaucasia;
- in the interval of the lower reaches of the Terek and Kuma rivers;
- in the lower reaches of Sulak;
- south of Makhachkala to Gudermes.
Its settlements reach to the north:
- to the southern lands of the Astrakhan region;
- south of Kalmykia.
There are small and isolated settlements:
- in the east of the Ural River;
- in the Kara-Agach area;
- in the vicinity of the rivers Temir, Emba, Wil;
- in the northeast of the Guryev region;
- in the west of the Atyubinsk region.
The animal prefers sandy and clayey semi-deserts, but settles in places where there is moisture: in river floodplains, in bearded vulture and lake feather grass steppes and forest plantations, and is also found in forest-steppes. Loves chestnut soils. The animal can be seen at an altitude of 1400-2400 m above sea level. m., more often at an altitude of 1500-1600 m.
Interesting fact: Observations of a mole rat released in an area where there were no other individuals showed that in four months it built 284 piles.
Where a group of individuals lives, about 15% of the area is covered with piles of earth. In the spring, mole rats begin to create new feeding passages, which they use throughout the summer. Moving along them, the rodent grabs the sprouting roots, and drags the entire plant behind them. In the fall, they again begin to actively dig tunnels, but this work from above is not so noticeable. The animals expand the passages of the lower tier, the nesting chambers, but do not push the soil out, but clog the feeding passages with them.
Rodents also make seasonal movements. In winter they move closer to forest belts. There is more snow, the ground is protected from the cold and does not freeze as much, and the dense root system is a source of food. In spring they move closer to fields with perennial grasses.
Interesting fact: Mole rats dig holes in sandy soil at a speed of approximately 2.5 cm/hour or 850 mm per 20 minutes, during which time the volume of emissions is 25,000 cm3.
House hunters
Hunting breeds of dogs that are accustomed to attacking underground can help in exterminating mole rats. Dachshunds and spaniels are well suited for such purposes. If a cat catches rats, it can also be taught to hunt mole rats. Especially when we are talking about a cat mother who is ready to do anything to protect her babies.
To lure out the pest, you need to dig up its labyrinth, at least a meter deep, and dig another hole about 40 centimeters near the exit. When the rodent appears to bury the failed exit, a cat is seated in the prepared hole, which will show its hunting abilities. As you can see, there are many methods to combat mole rats. Some of them are humane, while others are cruel.
With their help, you can destroy pests or ensure that they leave the area. Considering that they have poorly developed limbs, the animals will not go far, but will simply move to their neighbors. On the one hand, rodents cause great damage to garden plots, and on the other hand, they are listed in the Red Book. Therefore, how to get rid of a mole rat , whether to kill it or not, is a personal matter for each summer resident.
