MAMMAL MONDAY # 24

MAMMAL MONDAY# 24

Woohoo, it’s Mammal Monday again and we have a little animal with a BIG head! No, they don’t think that they’re the best rodent in the world, the really do have large heads. We’ve got our safari hats on because we’re heading to the grasslands of East Africa! Are you ready?

MEET THE BIG HEADED MOLE RAT!

Range/Habitat: East Africa/ grasslands

Diet: Herbivore: roots, plants

Length/Weight: 12”/ 13-36 oz

Conservation Status: Endangered

Fun Facts:

• Big Headed Mole Rats have blunt round heads.
• They have small eyes and ears.
• Big headed mole rats burrow underground.
• They dig burrows that can be up to 165 ft long and they often share it with at least one other mole rat.
• Big headed mole rats have large orange yellow teeth.
• They forage for food above ground.

These rodents are kind of funny looking with their large heads and little eyes and ears! They are excellent home builders! Did you know that other animals such as snakes rely on burrowing animals? No, not for food! When an animal such as the Big headed mole rat leaves their burrow for good, other animals will use that burrow for their home! Pretty neat!