Big-headed Mole-rat
Tachyoryctes macrocephalus
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassMammalia (Mamífers)
- OrderRodentia (Rosegadors)
- FamilySpalacidae (Spalacids)
- GenusTachyoryctes (Root Rats)
- SpeciesTachyoryctes macrocephalus (Big-headed Mole-rat)
The giant root-rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus), also known as the Ethiopian African mole rat, is a species of rodent in the genus Tachyoryctes. The species is endemic to Ethiopia's Bale Mountains, and its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, where the population can reach densities of up to 2,600 individuals per square kilometre. The giant root-rat has thick fur and large teeth, and creates large networks of tunnels whilst foraging for food before making holes to the surface to feed on nearby vegetation. There are many species that prey on Tachyoryctes macrocephalus, especially the Ethiopian wolf, and it is threatened by habitat loss. Wikipedia →
60–70% of wildlife watchers report a Big-headed Mole-rat sighting in Bale Mountains National Park, based on 21 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Bale Mountains National Park
Blick's Grass Rat
Arvicanthis blicki
Black-clawed Brush-furred Rat
Lophuromys melanonyx
Lovat's climbing mouse
Dendromus lovati
Ethiopian Narrow-headed Rat
Stenocephalemys albocaudata
Abyssinian Grass Rat
Arvicanthis abyssinicus
Heller's Vlei Rat
Otomys helleri
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bale Mountains National Park | 🇪🇹 Ethiopia |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Big-headed Mole-rat in Bale Mountains National Park?
About 64% of wildlife watchers report a Big-headed Mole-rat sighting in Bale Mountains National Park, based on 21 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Big-headed Mole-rat in Bale Mountains National Park?
July has the highest sighting rate for Big-headed Mole-rat in Bale Mountains National Park in our monthly data.