Monsters wie in Science Fiction Films! # 8

   The Naked Mole Rat (Heterocephalus glaber) also known as the sand puppy or desert mole rat, is a burrowing rodent native to parts of East Africa and the only species currently classified in the genus Heterocephalus.   

Naked Mole Rats live in underground colonies that are led by a dominant queen, similar to the social structure of bees or wasps. Roughly three inches long, the naked mole rat spends its time in complete darkness, digging for food and working to sustain the colony and raise the young. 

Regular lab mice live an average of two years but naked mole rats can live up to 30 years. In addition, the naked mole rat doesn’t get cancer, doesn’t feel pain and can withstand oxygen depravation for more than a half-hour. As a result, these tiny, almost hairless, nearly blind rodents are proving invaluable for research on longevity, pain, cancer and stroke.