Naked Mole-rat Pups at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

After months of anticipation, the naked mole-rat colony at the Small Mammal House at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo finally has a queen—the only breeding female in a colony. A female gave birth to three pups today morning, Dec. 17, and all have been visible on the naked mole-rat webcam throughout the day. The births confirmed the female’s status as queen (visit the Zoo’s naked mole-rat pup FAQ for more information). Naked mole-rats are only one of two mammalian species that are eusocial—or live in a colony