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The only Transylvanian population of the lesser mole rat
(Nannospalax leucodon)
is in a reserve in Cluj County, near the town of Apahida, reserve created in 2007.
It is the only reserve in Romania which was especially created to protect the lesser mole rat
and it is special because the lesser mole rat is special.
It is a species exclusively distributed in the South-East of Europe.
Its areal is limited to only a few spots, in Romania, Hungary, Slovenia.
It looks a little like the European hamster, in size, its body is just as plump, with short legs,
a very short tail, almost nonexistent. It doesn't have eyes
and it has a pair of very developed front teeth,
which it uses for digging, in contrast with the mole,
which digs with the front limbs, the lesser mole rat digs with its front teeth.
If the public doesn't know very much about these creatures that live in dark underground galleries,
scientists, too, have too few detailed informations.
We would like to receive funding for a very detailed research
regarding the genetics of the lesser mole rat,
because we don't know for sure if this is a distinct species or just a subspecies
comparing to individuals in other distribution areas.
Because of their underground life, not very mobile, they don't spread too much.
The land belongs to the local municipality, which plans to apply for funding from
the European Union, with the purpose of promoting this reserve.