The common mole rat is completely blind, instead it has tactile hairs, a well-developed sense of smell and hearing. This animal is enough for a normal life, during which he almost never sees sunlight. For many landowners, mole rat has become a real punishment, because it is able to tear out the entire landing area and even affect the stability of the buildings located there.
Few saw ordinary mole rats live because of their lifestyle. They rarely climb to the surface, and their activity increases with the onset of darkness. So some idea of the size and lifestyle of the animal, many have to make only on the traces left by him. To help those who want to know how an ordinary mole rat lives and looks, - photos and stories of biologists.
Description of common mole rat
The maximum length of these rodents reaches 32 cm and their weight is 700 g. They have an elongated body in the form of a cylinder, a short neck, paws and tail and a flattened head at the top. The ears of the animals are barely noticeable, and the eyes are hidden under the skin and completely atrophied. The color of different individuals may have some differences.
The short soft hair of mole rats usually looks like a mixture of brown, gray and brown shades in different proportions, sometimes light spots are found on the head and body. The rodent has a wide nose, usually painted black or brown. At the first encounter with the common mole rat, the upper and lower incisors advanced far ahead rush into the eyes.
Where common mole rats live
For permanent habitation, the common mole rat usually chooses a steppe or forest-steppe. He loves to settle near beams, along roads dividing fields, and forest roads. It can be found in Russia, Ukraine and Moldova. In the northern part of the range, the common mole rat is considered rare, although it is the most common species of its kind, which also includes the sand, giant, Bukovinian and Podolsk mole rats.
At the moment, the conservation of the number of species threatens plowing, measures to improve the properties of the land and protect plants. Meanwhile, it cannot be said that this species is on the verge of extinction. Anxiety among the relevant organizations arises only about the conservation of populations in some northern and southern zones where common mole rats live. The Red Book of the International Protection Union has it on its lists. Due to this, the capture of animals in certain areas is prohibited, and human actions in their indigenous habitats are limited.
How common mole rats live
Common mole rats, in short, all their lives, and this is an average of 2.5-4 years, is underground, digs complex tunnel systems and produces food. Most of all, the animal loves the roots, tubers and bulbs of plants, but can also enjoy the stem with leaves. About 10 kg of food must be prepared for the mole rat for the winter. At this time of the year, his vital activity decreases markedly, but the rodent does not hibernate.
The optimum population density of the common mole rat is 3 individuals per hectare, but this number can reach up to 20. Using sharp incisors and paws, the animals break through their branched bunk system of burrows. The upper tier lies at a depth of 20-25 cm, and the lower, where the mole rat forms galleries for nests and the distribution of food supplies, is at a depth of 3-4 m. The outer holes are not constant, but are formed only in order to remove the dug ground to the surface.
How the animal reproduces
The social structure of common mole rats is made up of family groups, which include one male and one or two females. If there are two females, they give birth in turn in a year. Mating takes place in spring, and a brood consisting of 2-3 cubs may be born from February to May. Half of the males live separately and do not produce offspring.
Settlement of young animals occurs at a distance of tens or hundreds of meters. Females do this in the first year of life, climbing to the surface, which explains their great mortality. Most often they are the object of hunting birds of prey and foxes. Males separate from their mother a year later, without leaving the bowels of the earth. The main underground enemy of common mole rats is the steppe polecat.
Pest
Branched underground labyrinths are perfect for the life of mole rats, but can cause anxiety for humans. If the garden or garden becomes the habitat of this rodent, you can say goodbye to the lion's part of the crop. Most likely, the animal will like carrots, potatoes and onions. Onion flowers, legumes, corn and young trees may also be to his taste.
Endless heaps of dug land, subsidence, sudden disappearance of planted crops and even small trees - this is what people observe when an ordinary mole rat settles on their land. The description of its sabotage can be continued for a long time, and stopping them is an impossible task for many.
How to drive a mole rat
Only one question arises when an ordinary mole rat is planted on a plot of land - how to get rid of a pest? For many, this becomes an impossible task. After all, the animal is constantly hiding in the ground and its presence, creating new mounds and destroying planted plants, only at night.
It is best to try to create such conditions that the animal independently left the land. A lot of ways have been invented for this, but none of them guarantees that the animal will run away forever. But nevertheless, it is worthwhile to make every effort to get rid of the mole rat without spilling its blood.
One commonly used method is to fill the tunnel with water. But this may require too much water, as the underground passages of the animal are very branched. And if the soil quickly absorbs moisture, this method is completely useless. Some try to smoke the four-legged neighbor with smoke, pouring kerosene or fetid mixtures into the hole. Another way is to create a constant noise in the area of his residence, which the common mole rat does not tolerate. Alternatively, you can use the installation of an ultrasonic repeller.
