Common Mole-rat
Scientific name: Cryptomys hottentotus
Size: 12-18cm long
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Natural range: throughout west, central and south Africa
Housing
- a large plexiglass or glass enclosure which should be at least 3m deep and 6m long with a screen lid
- entire enclosure should be filled with soil with a 30cm space from the lid
- they live in small colonies made up of an extended family
- should start colony with 2-5 individuals which are familiar with each other
Food
- mixture of sweet potatoes, tubers, roots, veggies and some fruit
- food should be placed near tunnel entrances or planted just under the surface of the soil
- can occassionally have baby cereal or earthworms
Breeding
- Maturity: 10 months old
- Gestation: 78-90 days
- Litter size: 2-5
- there is only one dominant breeding pair per colony
- should be fully weaned by 3 weeks old