Everything about The Blesmol totally explained
The
blesmols, also known as
mole rats, or
African mole-rats, are burrowing rodents of the family
Bathyergidae. They represent a distinct evolution of a subterranean life among rodents much like the
pocket gophers of North America, the
tuco-tucos in South America, or the
fossorial muroids.
Distribution
Modern blesmols are found strictly in
sub-Saharan Africa.
Fossil forms are also restricted almost exclusively to
Africa, although a few specimens have been found in
Israel. Nowak (1999) also reports that †
Gypsorhynchus has been found in fossil deposits of
Mongolia.
Anatomy
Blesmols are somewhat mole-like animals with cylindrical bodies and short limbs. They range from 9 to 30 cm in length, and from 30 up to 1,800 grams in weight, depending on the species. Blesmols, like many other fossorial mammals, have greatly reduced eyes and ear
pinnae, a relatively short tail, loose skin, and (aside from the hairless Naked Mole Rat) velvety fur. Blesmols appear to be entirely
blind, although they may use the surfaces of their eyes for sensing air currents. Despite their small or absent pinnae, they've a good sense of hearing, although their most important sense appears to be that of
touch. Like other rodents, they've an excellent sense of smell, and they're also able to close their nostrils during digging to prevent them clogging with dirt.
Most blesmol species dig using their powerful
incisors and, to a lesser extent, the foreclaws, although
dune blesmols dig primarily with their feet, restricting them to soft, sandy soil.
At present 22 species of blesmols from 6 genera are accepted, but this number is likely to increase. Like other fossorial rodents such as pocket gophers, tuco-tucos, and
blind mole rats, blesmols appear to
speciate rapidly. They become geographically isolated easily leading to various
chromosomal forms and genetically distinct races. Some studies have suggested that the genus
Bathyergus represents the
basal-most lineage but most researchers accept that
Heterocephalus holds that position.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Blesmol'.
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