Naked Mole Rats

Naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber) are small, rodent-like mammals that live in underground burrows in parts of East Africa. They are one of only two known eusocial mammals, meaning that colonies of naked mole rats have a hierarchical social structure similar to that of social insects like bees and ants. Naked mole rats are unique among mammals due to their extraordinarily long lifespans, resistance to cancer, and ability to survive extreme environmental conditions, such as lack of oxygen and very high temperatures. Due to their unique biology and adaptations to harsh environments, naked mole rats have become a popular and useful model organism in medical and scientific research. For instance, studies on naked mole rats have helped scientists better understand the biology of aging, cancer, and pain. In addition, their extraordinary abilities to survive with very little oxygen may eventually inform treatments for human medical conditions.