Damara mole rat

Introduction: Long-term studies of the Damara mole rat (Cryptomys damarensis) in Namibia have concluded that when rain seeps through to the soil, burrowing operations are at their most intense. Moles have to act quickly in these circumstances, as they search for food, blind in harsh, environmental conditions, foraging and storing the organs of plants underground as they shunt soil about. The softer soil enables them to make minor alterations to their burrows to uncover new resources. Burrowing networks will have a nest that can be up to 2m underground.

Distribution: North and eastern regions of the country including Etosha National Park and in the red Kalahari Desert sands that are associated with unpredictable rainfall.

Diet: Gemsbok, cucumbers, bulbs, corms and tubers.

Colouring: Fawn or very dark brownish-black, short but dense coat colours can occur in the same colony with distinctive large, white head patches.

Breeding: A breeding female breeds throughout the year. Litters of between 1-5 pups are born after a gestation period of 80 days. Hindfoot drumming is a feature during courtship.

Size: Average weight 160g, but males can reach 300g.