What in the World - Naked mole rats prove pretty privilege is overrated

Download Naked mole rats prove pretty privilege is overrated

What’s small, sausage-shaped, wrinkly and pink? No… not that… Get your mind out of the gutter.

It’s a naked mole rat!!!

A new study of the odd-looking rodent shows that they’ve evolved a DNA repair mechanism that could explain why they live for so long. They have a max life span of nearly 40 years.

Victoria Gill, our Science Correspondent and strange animal expert, explains why they live so long and what human science can learn from these quite wonderful critters.

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Presenter: Iqra Farooq
Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates
Editor: Verity Wilde

Published on Monday, 13th October 2025.

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