Home › Mammalia › Spalacidae › Sandy Mole Rat (Spalax arenarius)
SPECIES PROFILE
Sandy Mole Rat (Spalax arenarius)
Spalax
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Ukraine, Russia
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Sandy steppes, dunes
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Rodentia
FAMILY
Spalacidae
GENUS
Spalax
📋 Description
SIZE
20-25 cm body, 200-400 g
COLORATION
Grey-brown
ADAPTATIONS
Blind, sand-adapted digging
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Sandy steppes, dunes
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Ukraine, Russia
REPRODUCTION
2-5 young, 1 litter per year
DIET DETAILS
Roots, bulbs
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, sand extraction
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The sandy mole rat is adapted to loose sand dunes and is almost never seen above ground.
2
It is one of Europe’s rarest rodents.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Black Sea dunes Ukraine
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Extremely rare; sand dunes in SE Europe.
