The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is a small, burrowing rodent native to Eastern Africa. It is known for its unique physical traits, such as wrinkled skin, lack of fur, and large protruding teeth used for digging. Naked mole-rats live in eusocial colonies similar to those of ants and bees, with a single breeding queen. They exhibit remarkable resistance to cancer and can survive with very low oxygen levels, a trait unusual among mammals.

Heterocephalus glaber, commonly known as the naked mole-rat, is native to the eastern parts of Africa, specifically in regions of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.

The naked mole-rat inhabits arid and semi-arid environments characterized by low rainfall and high temperatures. These regions typically have sparse vegetation with scattered shrubs and grasses.

Naked mole-rats are fossorial rodents, meaning they live underground in extensive burrow systems. Their ecological niche includes a highly specialized adaptation to low-oxygen environments and a diet primarily consisting of underground tubers and roots. They live in eusocial colonies similar to those of some insect species, with a single breeding queen and non-reproductive workers.