Damaraland Mole Rat
Fukomys damarensis
and it's tracks
Description
Fukomys damarensis is a medium-sized bathyergid with a range of color morphs from black to fawn; all have a large white head-patch.
Size
Total length 15 cm; tail 2 cm; mass 100-150 g.
Distribution
This species has been recorded in westen parts of Zambia, western Zimbabwe, Botswana (it is generally widespread in except in the extreme eastern parts), central and northern Namibia (including the Caprivi Strip), and marginally into the Northern Cape of South Africa (Hotazel, Kalahari Transfrontier Park).
Habitat
It is found in semi-arid thornscrub, woodland, savanna, grassland habitats associated with red Kalahari sands and sandy soils.The areas in which the species occurs generally have a low to sporadic annual rainfall of around 2-400 mm.
Biology
It is a diurnal, subterranean species that prefers to live in Kahalahri arenosols, and loose unconsolidated alluvial sands. This is a social species that lives in colonies that average around 16 animals, but may be as many as 41 individuals. There is a single breeding pair, and colonies are formed from this pair and their subsequent litters, which remain in the natal group. Colonies can produce up to four litters of one to six young a year. If the reproductive female dies, the colony disperses. The species has a generation length of three years.
Links:
Wikipedia,
ADW,
Cryptomys damarensis - Clark Science Center (PDF)