Bathyergidae Author Don E. Wilson Author Thomas E. Lacher, Jr Author Russell A. Mittermeier text 2016 2016-07-31 Lynx Edicions Barcelona Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I 352 370 book chapter 58515 10.5281/zenodo.6584692 b8867962-e924-4e49-8d2b-47ed56116943 978-84-941892-3-4 6584692 10. Zambian Mole-rat Fukomys amatus French: Bathyergue de Zambie / German: Sambia-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Zambia Taxonomy. Georychus amatus Wroughton, 1907 , “Road to Chiwali’s, Alala Plateau .. Alt. 4000 [feet],” Zambia . Previously, F. amatus was placed as a subspecies of Cryptomys hottentotus . Nevertheless, current molecular and chromosomal data placeit as a distinct species in the genus Fukomys. Monotypic. Distribution. C Zambia and SE DR Congo. Descriptive notes. Head-body 105 mm (type specimen), tail 10 mm (type); weight 73-2 g (52-71 g). The Zambian Mole-rat is dark gray to brown; white areas sometimes occur on ventral side and head. It has a cylindrical body and short legs and tail. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 50, FN = 92 or 96. Habitat. Mesic areas with mean minimum annual rainfall of 889-6 mm. Food and Feeding. The Zambian Mole-rat is herbivorous. Breeding. Breeding of the Zambian Mole-rat is aseasonal. Gestation is 90-100 days, and littersize is two young (range 1-2). Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species. Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Zambian Mole-rat is colonial, with maximum colony size often. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (under Cryptomys hottentotus ). Conservation status of the Zambian Mole-rat is largely unknown because of lack of data on population status and ecology. Bibliography. Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Faulkes, Bennett et al. (1997), Macholén et al. (1998).