The blind mole rat is a species distributed from southeastern Europe to Iran. This species is an important subject in medical research aimed at prolonging human life and fighting cancer.
Our world is full of strange and interesting creatures. Every now and then, you come across or read about one that you can't decide whether it's cute, adorable, or downright creepy! The blind mole rat is one of those creatures that can leave you in such a dilemma.
Blind moles belong to the family Spalacidae and they have two distinct subspecies: the lesser blind mole (Spalax leucodon), and the greater blind mole . They are mainly found around the eastern part of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, from the Balkans through Ukraine, Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine, and into Egypt and Libya. They are subterranean rodents covered in dense fur, appear to have no ears and no eyes, and have large teeth that protrude outside their mouths.
Blind mole rats are underground rodents covered in dense fur.
Where are the eyes of the blind mole located?
All blind mole rats, as their name suggests, are blind. But that doesn't mean they don't have eyes. In fact, they aren't completely blind and they do have rather rudimentary eyes , about 1 mm in diameter, that are located under their skin and fur. But these eyes serve a very different purpose than human eyes. The eyes of blind mole rats can only sense light . It has been studied that removing their eyes will disrupt their photoperiod perception.
Thermoregulation, reproduction, and hibernation – all of these are important behaviors for mammals, requiring them to recognize changes in photoperiod. The blind mole rat's small eyes therefore serve an important function in helping them understand the conditions around them. The retinas of their non-functioning eyes contain photoreceptors that can collect the little light that penetrates the ground, thus acting as a kind of light meter.
The eyes of the blind mole rat are located under the skin and fur.
Blind mole rats are the subject of scientific research for their anti-cancer properties.
Blind mole rats do not get cancer because their cells can kill themselves with a toxic protein when they multiply rapidly. They can live up to 20 years, which is at least 10 times longer than a mouse of similar size. Their resistance to cancer may explain some of this longevity.
In fact, one study also found that all blind mole rats are able to tolerate very high doses of chemotherapy drugs with minimal side effects. Scientists hope that if they can learn more about exactly how blind mole rats achieve this resistance, they may be able to develop a cancer treatment for humans that can exploit the positive and beneficial aspects without causing any of the harmful effects.
Blind mole rats are able to tolerate very high doses of chemotherapy drugs with minimal side effects.
Other interesting facts
1. Blind moles do not use their claws to dig burrows.
Most burrowing rodents will use their claws to dig their burrows, but not these little guys. All blind mole rats use their heads, snouts, and mostly their mouths to create intricate mazes of underground tunnels.
They have large chisel-like incisors and powerful jaw muscles that enable them to dig up blocks of soil ten times their own weight.
2. Blind mole rats can live in places with near-zero oxygen levels.
Blind mole rats can survive in extremely low oxygen conditions. They can survive for up to five hours at oxygen levels as low as 3%. According to research, they can also survive in an atmosphere with 80% CO2.
It has been observed that when oxygen levels drop very low, blind mole rats enter a trance-like metabolic state, and their heart rates drop very low. But when oxygen is restored, they can make a full recovery and continue functioning as if nothing had happened.
Scientists studying naked mole rats think that mole rats survive without oxygen by turning into plants – not literally, of course. Other mammals, including us, break down glucose for energy, but that process requires oxygen, and without it, brain cells begin to die! But mole rats have high levels of fructose and sucrose in their bodies, as well as GLUT5, a molecule that can transport fructose into their cells. They use fructose for energy instead of breaking down glucose.
Blind moles could help archaeologists excavate historical sites.
3. Israeli archaeologists think blind mole rats could be a valuable aid in excavations.
Israeli archaeologists think blind mole rats could be capable team members to help them excavate historical sites. It may seem like a ridiculous suggestion, but in fact the animals are expert diggers, able to dig through soil nearly ten times their own weight.
Accordingly, if trained, they could help archaeologists dig up historical objects from underground. Additionally, by systematically studying the dirt from moles, archaeologists can get a fairly accurate idea of which areas they should focus on when conducting excavations.
Honestly, mole rats are strange, unique creatures that continue to intrigue scientists about their biology.
