Typically the body of a mature specimen of the common mole-rat may be as short as 10.5 to as long as 16.5 cm; the tail may be 1.2 to 3.8 cm. The fur is thick and evenly colored, usually grey or brown. In some specimens there is white spot on the head. The shape of the body is cylindrical with short appendages. Common mole-rats have ungrooved chisel-like incisors that are used for digging as well as for feeding and fighting.
Reproduction and development
Common mole-rats form colonies, essentially family groups with the largest female and male being the only reproductive pair. Mating begins in September and October. During courtship the female raises her tail and allows the mate to smell her genital region. The male then gently chews on her hind region, mounts and mates. The birth of offspring is restricted to the southern hemisphere summer, during which there may be one or two litters of up to five pups. The gestation period is about 81 days. The average age at reproductive maturity is about 450 days. Females maintain reproductive function during non-reproductive months.
Ecology
Common mole-rats are fossorial and can live in a wide range of substrates. They are herbivorous, mainly eating geophytes and grass rhizomes. Common mole-rats are very widespread, thus their abundance is not well known. This species shows signs of localization due to soil requirements. The pattern of burrowing systems for common mole-rats optimizes their access to food, especially geophytes. Burrowing has a negative economic impact in that it damages human property but it is also positive in that it improves soil drainage and turnover.
Physiological attributes
Common mole-rats are endothermic, having the ability to generate their own heat and keep their body temperature above ambient temperature. In arid environments they have lower individual body masses; this reduces their need for food and improves energy conservation. These mole-rats also have long sensory hairs called vibrissae that stand out from the pelage over their body and hind legs.
Behavior
Common mole-rats live in family units of up to 14 individuals. They are eusocial in that colony members are specialized for functions such as reproduction and for cooperative care of the young. Younger mole-rats would likely be workers and older mole-rats could be casual workers. These workers, for the most part, burrow and forage, with casual workers not working as much as younger workers. The oldest mole rats are breeders.
Tunneling
Mole-rats have cylindrical bodies with short limbs adapted to activities inside their tunnels. Their loose skins and dense fur assist in negotiating small spaces. They can practically somersault within their loose skins. Their hairy cheeks can close behind the incisors to keep dirt and soil from the throat while they dig. In digging they loosen soil with the incisors, then use their feet to pass the loosened soil back beneath the body. When the mole-rat has accumulated a suitable batch of loose earth, it reverses to push the soil out of the tunnel.
Conservation
The IUCN Red List lists the species as Least Concern. Because of their dense and widespread population and their adaptability to pasturelands and rural gardens, their prognosis is a positive one.
