The tunnel structure of blind mole rats (genus Spalax) in Turkey

Abstract

The structure of the tunnels and burrows of mole rats (genus Spalax) was examined in Central and Southeastern Anatolia in the years 2002-2009. There are two types of mounds: linear ones and scattered ones. While a one-layer tunnel structure is observed in nearly all parts of Turkey, we also found three-layer tunnels, which were made in soft and moist soil. The tunnels made in moist soil were deeper than the ones made in hard soil. We found that mole rats blend the soil with their urine and produce a sticky mud with a bad odour in order to strengthen the walls of the opened galleries.