Zoo Atlanta's Naked Mole Rat Queen Gives Birth

Zoo Atlanta’s naked mole rat queen has given birth to her first litter of pups.
The Animal Management and Veterinary Teams discovered at least six
newborn members of the Zoo’s strangest animal society on May 19.

Hairless, sightless and roughly an inch long, the new arrivals are estimated
to weigh between 1 and 2 grams. The pups have already been observed
crawling over a tight formation of adult colony members, who remain huddled
in the nest for the infants’ warmth and protection.

The queen may nurse her offspring for up to 2 months, but the entire colony
is tasked with their care. Workers are also responsible for the transport of
the pups in the event that the queen selects a new nesting area. The pups’
eyes should open at 20 to 30 days, at which time the juveniles may also start
eating solid foods.

To avoid disrupting the colony, the Animal Management and Veterinary Teams
will wait days before resuming any maintenance activities that could
disturb the queen or her pups. Fortunately, there’s no wait for curious guests!
Visitors can see the Zoo’s unusual underground family and their exciting additions
in their habitat daily.

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A Litter of Little Ones are Born at Zoo Atlanta

The pitter patter of piglets can be heard at Zoo Atlanta. Warthogs Vern and Shirley are parents to a second litter of piglets a year after the infectiously cute “Georgia P” was born. “We are excited about our new piglets, spring represents a new season and new babies for Zoo Atlanta” said Dennis Kelly, Zoo Atlanta President and CEO.

Shirley gave birth to a litter of five piglets (four males and one female) overnight Wednesday, April 15th. One male did not survive, and one male and female are being raised by staff. The other two are with Shirley however the Veterinary and Animal Management teams are monitoring them closely. “Infancy does carry some risk however I am confident that Zoo Atlanta’s Veterinary and Animal Management teams are providing excellent care,” said Kelly.

Found throughout the savanna of eastern sub-Saharan Africa, warthogs are not currently
endangered. Female warthogs usually give birth to one litter (average three or five piglets) per year after a gestation of five to six months. Piglets are typically weaned by the time they are six months old however they may remain with their mother until her next litter is born.

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