Matabeleland Mole-rat

Common mole-rats form colonies, essentially family groups with the largest female and male being the only reproductive pair. Mating begins in September and October. During courtship the female raises her tail and allows the mate to smell her genital region. The male then gently chews on her hind region, mounts and mates. The birth of offspring is restricted to the southern hemisphere summer, during which there may be one or two litters of up to five pups. The gestation period is about 81 days. The average age at reproductive maturity is about 450 days. Females maintain reproductive function during non-reproductive months.