The naked mole rat--a new record for the oldest living rodent

Sci Aging Knowledge Environ. 2002 May 29;2002(21):pe7. doi: 10.1126/sageke.2002.21.pe7.

Abstract

We report a new record for the world's longest-lived rodent, a male naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber). On the basis of his weight at capture, this animal was approximately 1 year old when collected near Mtito Andei, Kenya in July/August 1974. He died in April 2002, indicating that he lived for more than 28 years. As such, his life-span surpassed the previous longevity record for a rodent, which was held by a porcupine (Hystrix brachyura) that lived for 27 years and 4 months.

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Body Constitution / physiology
  • Longevity / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mole Rats / physiology*
  • Rats