Peaceful Succession Unfolds in Naked Mole Rat Colony
Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego have observed an unprecedented event within their naked mole rat colony, offering new insights into the social structures of these often misunderstood mammals. Instead of the typical fierce struggles for dominance observed in other colonies, the Salk group has documented a peaceful transition of power among their queen rats, a finding significant enough to warrant publication in the journal Science Advances.
Unique Social Structures of Naked Mole Rats
Naked mole rats, native to East Africa, are known for their highly specialized, matriarchal societies. A colony typically consists of a single breeding queen, accompanied by several non-breeding workers. These workers assume various roles, such as guarding the nest, foraging for food, and caring for the young, which makes the dynamics within these communities particularly fascinating.
The Salk colony, affectionately named the “amigos” during its establishment in 2019, quickly seemed to defy the norm after the original queen, Teré, began a succession plan that was anything but conventional. Usually, the replacement of a queen involves violent conflict, with potential casualties on both sides. However, in this San Diego laboratory, researchers were surprised to witness a calm abdication of power.
Veterinarian Shanes Abeywardena, who is also a postdoctoral fellow in Janelle Ayres’ lab, noted, “Maybe they heard us and they were like, okay, we’ll show you that we’re friends.” Following the initial establishment of the colony and despite challenges faced due to overcrowding and a subsequent relocation in 2022, Teré was able to maintain a stable reign—until her reproductive capabilities waned.
An Unexpected Transition
Contrary to what researchers anticipated—a violent coup or overthrow—two of Teré’s daughters began reproducing. While one daughter was lost due to internal injuries, the other, named Arwen, emerged as the colony’s new queen around 2025. What shocked the researchers even further was Teré’s supportive behavior during this transition.
Instead of exhibiting aggression or attempting to reassert her dominance, Teré continued to protect her colony while gracefully yielding her position. Abeywardena expressed her astonishment at this peaceful handover, noting, “As this was unfolding, we were just completely shocked.”
In traditional cases observed in zoos, such as the ongoing struggle at the Smithsonian National Zoo, the overthrow process is marked by intense violence. Kenton Kerns, the curator of the small mammal house at the Smithsonian, explained that a similar power shift had devolved into a prolonged struggle, showcasing the stark contrast to the San Diego colony.
This peaceful succession in the amigos colony may have practical advantages, primarily by minimizing the risks associated with violent conflict. Researchers have found that aggressive transitions can lead to injuries and losses within the colony, hampering their overall survival and efficiency in resource management.
Broader Implications
The findings from the Salk Institute challenge previously held assumptions about the aggressive social structures often attributed to naked mole rats. “It makes sense that they would buck social rules too,” Kerns noted, emphasizing that individual behaviors can vary widely among different colonies and individuals.
The revelation that some naked mole rat colonies might favor nonviolent transitions could fundamentally change how scientists understand social hierarchies in these unique creatures. As ongoing observations continue, researchers may discover that far more naked mole rats are predisposed to peaceful coexistence than initially believed.
The amigos colony highlights the complexity of social interactions among naked mole rats, driven by environmental and internal colony dynamics. As the scientific community delves deeper into these relationships, the narrative around these unusual mammals is set to evolve, reminding us of the diverse behavioral strategies present in nature.
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