Head to head
Naked Mole-Rat vs Damaraland Mole-Rat
The naked mole-rat and Damaraland mole-rat are the only two mammal species known to be truly eusocial, a social structure otherwise found mainly in insects, though the two species differ in size and appearance.
| Naked Mole-Rat | Damaraland Mole-Rat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Heterocephalus glaber | Fukomys damarensis |
| Appearance | Nearly hairless, wrinkled pink skin | Larger, more visibly haired |
| Social structure | Eusocial, single breeding queen | Eusocial, single breeding queen |
| Notable trait | Exceptional longevity, cancer resistance | Large cooperative digging colonies |
| Range | East Africa | Southern Africa |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Grassland, desert | Desert, grassland |
Naked Mole-Rat vs Damaraland Mole-Rat: common questions
Why are the naked mole-rat and Damaraland mole-rat considered so unusual among mammals?
Both species are eusocial, living in colonies with a single breeding queen who suppresses reproduction in other members, a social structure otherwise seen mainly in ants, bees, and termites, making these two mole-rat species the only known mammals to organise their societies this way.
How can you tell a naked mole-rat from a Damaraland mole-rat?
The naked mole-rat is almost entirely hairless with distinctive wrinkled pink skin, while the Damaraland mole-rat is somewhat larger and more visibly haired, making overall size and coat coverage the clearest ways to distinguish between the two eusocial species.
Why is the naked mole-rat so important to scientific research?
This species is famous among biologists for an unusually long lifespan relative to its size and strong resistance to cancer, traits that have made it an important model organism for research into ageing and disease resistance, a research profile the Damaraland mole-rat shares to a lesser extent.