I'd love to see this species get established in Australia. Fascinating, and an almost perfect species for zoos. Eusociality - unique amongst mammals (well, except for one other mole rat) = education value. The social structure lends itself to keeping large groups. Extraordinary longevity amongst rodents makes it fairly easy to sustain populations over the long-term. Small size allows for compact, cheap enclosures.
I honestly think they'd join cotton-top tamarins, meerkats and small-clawed otters as one of the most charismatic smaller species in Australian zoos.
I'd love to see this species get established in Australia. Fascinating, and an almost perfect species for zoos. Eusociality - unique amongst mammals (well, except for one other mole rat) = education value. The social structure lends itself to keeping large groups. Extraordinary longevity amongst rodents makes it fairly easy to sustain populations over the long-term. Small size allows for compact, cheap enclosures.
I honestly think they'd join cotton-top tamarins, meerkats and small-clawed otters as one of the most charismatic smaller species in Australian zoos.
