About Spalax microphthalmus Guldenstaedt, 1770
The greater blind mole-rat (Spalax microphthalmus Guldenstaedt, 1770) is tailless. Its eyes are covered by a membrane of skin; the eyes contain atrophied lens cells enclosed in a vesicle and a retinal layer. This species has prominent incisor teeth, which it uses for burrowing. Its fur is generally greyish, but can vary in color. Adults can grow up to 31 cm (12 in) in length and weigh up to 570 g (20 oz). The species has a dental formula of 1.0.0.3 / 1.0.0.3. This greater blind mole-rat is found in the steppes of Ukraine and southern Russia, between the Dnieper and Volga rivers. Its range extends north to the Oryol to Kursk railway line and south to the North Caucasus. It prefers lowland habitats with black earth, and avoids sandy or loamy soils. It lives in steppes, forest steppes, agricultural land, plantations, orchards, and gardens, and can act as a pest.
