Silvery mole rat

Adult auger

The Silver Grey auger ( Heliophobius argenteocinereus ) or Silbermull, is the only species of the rodent genus of the auger ( Heliophobius ) within the family of sand burial ( Bathyergidae ). These are rodents that are especially adapted to the subterranean grave and lifestyle.

Features

The auger is like its close relative, the mole-rats and the naked mole rat, adapted to a grave lifestyle. Accordingly, he has a very short, silver- gray fur and his ears and tail are very much reduced form. The eyes are also very small. Note the large incisors, which are used as grave tool.

This rodent reaches a head-body length of 10 to 20 cm and a weight of about 160 grams. The 1.5 to 4 cm long tail is covered with stiff hair fringe.

Distribution and habitat

The Silver Grey auger lives in the steppe and forest regions in eastern Africa. The range extends from Kenya via Tanzania and Malawi to the Zambezi River in Mozambique. In the West the way reached the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the central Zambia. It prefers dry, sandy soils.

Way of life

Unlike the naked mole rats and mole-rats live in colonies of the auger is a loner who digs his tunnel system in dry soils. Within the course the animals orient obviously using the earth's magnetic field, the structure of the caves varies seasonally. The construction consists of an approximately 47 meter long main tunnel, a living room and many branches. The chamber has a diameter of 8 to 10 cm and is about 30 cm below the surface. For food supplies and sewage, there are separate places in the tunnel system.

Auger feed on tubers which they find when digging and use.

Outside the mating season, the animals are very aggressive towards other dogs. The reproductive behavior has been explored quite inadequate. In the few females observed the pregnancy lasted about 87 days. 2-3 blind and naked pups were born (in exceptional cases, 1 or 4) with a weight of about 7 grams per litter. A copy spent two years living under human supervision and then another year in nature.

Status

The Silver Grey auger is being fought locally as an agricultural pest. He is in his home caught and eaten by humans. Since this has no obvious effects on the population, the IUCN lists it as not at risk ( least concern ).