Home › Mammalia › Spalacidae › Greater Mole Rat (Spalax microphthalmus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Greater Mole Rat (Spalax microphthalmus)
Spalax
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Steppe, grassland
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Rodentia
FAMILY
Spalacidae
GENUS
Spalax
📋 Description
SIZE
20-30 cm body, 300-600 g
COLORATION
Grey-brown, no eyes, large incisors
ADAPTATIONS
Blind, powerful digging, underground life
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Steppe, grassland
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia
REPRODUCTION
2-6 young, 1 litter per year
DIET DETAILS
Roots, tubers, bulbs
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, agriculture
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The greater mole rat is completely blind and lives its entire life underground. It has huge incisors for digging.
2
It creates large molehills and can damage crops.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Ukrainian steppe
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Look for large molehills in steppe; very rarely seen above ground.
