The Buffalo Zoo Welcomes Naked Mole Rats

The Buffalo Zoo has rats -- on purpose!

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WIVB reports today the Buffalo Zoo added 37 new naked mole rats.

"The Buffalo Zoo says naked mole rats are one of two eusocial mammal species, living in colonies much like bees and ants, with one queen."

According to Wikipedia, the naked mole rat is also known as a "sand puppy." They are a eusocial animal -- which is what makes them interesting to study.

That means naked mole rats show a high level of social organization in their colonies. They cooperate to take care of the colony's young -- babysitting! Their colonies have multiple overlapping generations (must be the grandmas doing the babysitting). They also organize the work of the colony -- dividing labor among the adults.

The colony of naked mole rats can be found in the Diversity of Life hallway at the zoo.

Take a look at some of the Zoo's residents being too relatable!

We like to think that humans are somehow drastically different from other beings in the animal kingdom, but as these images from the residents of the Buffalo Zoo show, we have more in common than we think.

1. Every single morning before coffee.

2. When the kids ask for help with remote learning common core math.

3. When your friends trash talk Candy Corn and you're like...more for me anyway.

4. The bartender, yells: "Hey buddy, you can't just leave that lyin' there." To which the man replies: "That's not a lion, that's a fox."

5. When your kids are being cute with one another so you grab the camera just as they start to fight.

6. When you're walking through the grocery store sizing up the future 50% off Halloween candy.

7. When Ashley in the office asks about your date from the weekend.

8. When you just can't resist a great theme party.

9. Mom: What was that noise?
Kids: Nothing!

10. Irrefutable evidence the Bills Mafia is a multispecies fanbase.