Naked mole-rats assign roles of cleaners and sanitation workers in groups 0 58

Researchers from the University of Tokyo, using artificial habitats and microchips for tracking, found that workers in these rodents' communities divide into groups with clearly defined tasks — from transporting waste to cleaning toilet chambers.

Some individuals were more often found in the "garbage zone," while others were in the "toilet zone," maintaining cleanliness. Young and old animals predominantly remained in the nesting chambers and exhibited lower activity. This division of labor reflects a high degree of social organization comparable to that of bees and wasps.

The results highlight the diversity of behavior and the presence of a possible caste structure in the colonies, which helps maintain the functioning of complex underground systems. Despite the limitations of laboratory conditions, the study opens new horizons in understanding the social dynamics of these unusual mammals.