FIRST SUCCESSFUL BREEDING OF THE BLIND MOLE RAT (SPALAX EHRENBERGI) IN CAPTIVITY

ABSTRACT

Breeding solitary fossorial mammals in captivity is notoriously difficult. To date, all attempts to breed the blind mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi), a solitary and highly aggressive subterranean rodent, have failed. Consequently, its reproductive biology remains unknown. The present work is the first report of initiation of mating leading to successful pregnancy, delivery, and rearing of pups in captivity. Spalax ehrenbergi shows a 7–8 day periodicity in courtship behavior prior to the initiation of mounts. The length of pregnancy in this species is 34 days. A female and her son were housed for one year in a simulated burrow system where they established two independent adjacent territories. During the breeding season the animals had the option to avoid or initiate contact at will. This management concept of naturalistic conditions and minimal interference by the investigators undoubtedly contributed to the breeding success. The ability to breed this solitary aggressive fossorial rodent successfully will enable us to investigate its basic reproductive biology and development.