Mole-rat is any of a variety of small rodents adapted to life underground. Mole-rats are neither moles nor rats. In fact, not all mole-rats are closely related to one another. Mole-rats typically dig large burrows with many rooms. They feed mainly on the underground parts of plants, such as roots and tubers. Most mole-rats live in Africa and the Mediterranean region.
Mole-rats are well-suited to life in the soil. Many mole-rats have short, strong limbs with large claws. These features help them to dig. Other mole-rats dig using their strong jaws and large front teeth. These teeth remain exposed when the mouth is closed, preventing soil from entering the mouth. 
Most mole-rats sense their surroundings largely through touch. They generally have small ears and eyes. Most mole-rats have poor vision. One group, called blind mole-rats, has skin growing over the eyes.
Among the most interesting mole-rats are the naked mole-rat of East Africa and the Damaraland mole-rat of sub-Saharan Africa. Both of these animals live in large, organized communities, within which only one female and one to three males breed. Their behavior resembles that of social insects, such as ants and honey bees. They are the only mammals known to show such behavior.
