Heterocephalus glaber

This small underground rodent from Africa can hardly be called a handsome man. A bald, wrinkled body, a large head with two teeth protruding under the nose and a thin rat tail in most people cause disgust. Well, let. But the naked excavator (Latin Heterocephalus glaber) has such strong health that we can only envy you.

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He does not suffer from cancer, indifferent to cuts and does not react at all to burns. In venerable age for rodents (25-30 years), to which the relatives of a digger and do not try to live, he is very vigorous and mobile. And who needs your beauty under the earth? The main thing here is the ability to navigate. And that's what naked diggers can do! Thanks to sensitive vibrissae on the muzzle and tail, they are able to move through tunnels, both forward head and forward tail.

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The length of the body of adults can barely reach 8-10 cm with a weight of 30-35 g. They have a heavy physique, a large head and a short neck. Between the toes of the paws there are dense hairs that increase the surface of the soles and help to move under the ground. Tiny eyes almost do not see anything, but hearing and touch in naked diggers are well developed. The front teeth are closed by special outgrowths of the lips, which saves the rodent from getting into the mouth while digging tunnels.

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Marine diggers live in semi-deserts and dry savannahs of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. They do not come to the surface, spending all their time underground. Here they always have something to do. These funny animals are quite an interesting way of life. Do you know how ants or bees live? So, the naked diggers decided to follow the example of social insects and arranged the same colony under the ground.

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At the head of it is one female, who chooses two or three favorites, giving an opportunity to all the other members of the colony to engage in social work. The largest specimens are protected by snakes from tunnels. Those that are smaller, dig new passages and get food. The smallest nurse babies and sisters. Over time, they can change their functions, making a "career" from nannies to soldiers.

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But to become a queen or favorites is much more difficult. The main female holds fast to her place, punishing any competitor who seems suspicious to her. When the queen perishes, several large working females enter into a fierce battle for the "throne."

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The winner grows rapidly by increasing the distance between the vertebrae. Soon it becomes "too tough" for all the other members of the colony. Still: its weight reaches 50-85 g! Now she has only one concern - to give birth to the young, which she does with an enviable regularity.

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The queen brings droppings every 80 days, giving birth to 12-27 young. Her nipples are only 12, but this does not prevent the babies from feeding in turns, because there is enough milk for everyone. At two weeks old they already try hard food, and at 4 weeks - they are weaned. They remain inside their colony, participating in public life to the best of their ability.

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Naked diggers have long been interested in scientists from all over the world. With the help of these animals, people hope to get a formula for longevity and even a cure for cancer. The diggers never have tumors, and they live up to 30 years - an incredible age for rodents!

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Until death, they have no signs of aging, such as decrepitude of muscles and a weakening of the mineralization of bones. Perhaps this is due to their cold-bloodedness (naked diggers do not know how to maintain body temperature), and maybe with the presence of hyaluronic acid in their skin. Scientists have yet to answer this question.

With the best wishes, @gleb-jeglov aka Evgeny