Reproductive behavior of the blind mole-rat (Spalax ehrenbergi) in a seminatural burrow system

The blind mole-rat (Spalax ehrenbergi) is a fossorial mammal that is solita ry and highly aggressive in nature. The consequent difficulties of maintain ing this species in captivity have hindered attempts to gain insight into i ts behavior and reproductive biology. This article describes an innovative artificial tunnel system and management protocol that facilitated our study of the reproductive behavior of the blind mole-rat in captivity. The study employed a naturalistic approach that allowed the animals to establish sep arate territories in a seminatural tunnel system and to become familiar wit h each other over a period of months. This approach contrasts with previous unsuccessful attempts in which mole-rats were introduced without a period of acclimation to each other or to the experimental set-up. The results rev eal that both the length of acquaintance between a pair of mole-rats and th eir own control of the timing of encounters are the most significant factor s in reducing aggression and stress. Courtship in blind mole-rats is a leng thy process during which the animals gradually become accustomed to one ano ther, which leads to a reduction of aggression and the initiation of positi ve "contact movements," eventually enabling copulation to occur. Minimal di sturbance by the researcher and initiation of encounters by the mole-rats t hemselves appear to be the factors that led to a successful mating, pregnan cy, and, 34 days later, to the female giving birth and rearing the pups in captivity.