Phoenix Zoo Welcomes Two Dozen Naked Mole Rats
The zoo's new plaza habitat houses two colonies, each led by its own queen.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Wildlife
The Phoenix Zoo has received two dozen naked mole rats, which are now housed in a new habitat in the zoo's main plaza. The animals form two colonies, each with its own queen.
Why it matters
The arrival gives Phoenix residents and visitors a close look at an unusual, highly social mammal that is rarely displayed. Its colony structure makes it a notable subject for learning about animal social organization.
The zoo received two dozen naked mole rats housed in two separate colonies. Some naked mole rats in the wild and in captivity have been reported to live beyond 30 years, though the source does not state individual ages for the Phoenix animals.
The players
Phoenix Zoo
A zoological facility in Phoenix, Arizona, that houses animals for public display, conservation, and education.
The details
Naked mole rats are native to East Africa and spend nearly their entire lives underground. They dig complex tunnel systems using their front teeth, and each colony is organized under a queen who reigns over her colony.
Timeline
Naked mole rats were welcomed to the Phoenix Zoo in November 2026.
Season Trajectory
Naked mole rats are one of the few mammals known to be eusocial, with a single queen and reproductive division of labor similar to social insects. Their presence in a public zoo plaza brings this rare social system to visitors who might otherwise only encounter it in research literature.
Phoenix-area residents can now observe naked mole rats in person at the zoo's main plaza, a rare opportunity given how seldom the species is displayed. Families planning a visit may find the habitat a distinctive stop among the zoo's other exhibits.
The takeaway
Naked mole rats show that complex social structures like those of ants and bees can also appear in mammals. Visitors who see the colonies up close get a direct view of a rare social system.
Further reading
For more on local animal exhibits, browse Wildlife coverage across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZfamily.
