Every species of animal has its unique traits. However, some of the characteristics of the naked mole rat Heterocephalus glaber are quirky bordering on downright weird. Some people think the rat's unique physiology could be studied to unlock immortality or find a way to prevent cancer. Whether or not this is true remains to be seen, but one thing is certain. The mole rat is an unusual creature. It's easy to recognize the naked mole rat by its buck-teeth and wrinkled skin.
Naked mole-rats aren't moles or rats, and they actually aren't even naked, despite what their name suggests. They are burrowing, bucktoothed rodents that look like miniature, skinny walruses, native to East Africa, and they have become a major source of fascination for scientists. Sand puppies, as they're also called, live a special lifestyle that has forced them to adapt in various ways. These adaptations give humans insight into their own health and well-being, from pain relief to cancer research to aging.
Yes, these odd little creatures with pink, wrinkly skin dig and live in underground burrows the way moles do. Yes, they have skinny, rat-like tails. Why are they "naked"? Native to the desert regions of East Africa, which can be pretty warm during the day, naked mole-rats live underground.
Although they might not be the prettiest mammals in the world, naked mole-rats Heterocephalus galbe are certainly among the most amazing. And beneath their wrinkly pink skin, these bizarre creatures may very well hold the secret to the elixir of life. As their name suggests, naked mole-rats completely lack hair or fur on their bodies.