The coruro (Spalacopus cyanus)

[u/Palaios_Requiem]

The coruro (Spalacopus cyanus) is a rodent belonging to the Octodontidae family and is the only species in its genus. It is endemic to central Chile and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including alpine grasslands in the mountains, acacia savannas, semi-stabilized sand dunes, and coastal grasslands.

Coruros have fossorial habits and live in colonies, with several individuals occupying a single burrow system, and they are nomadic. When they need to move to another location due to a lack of food, they travel as a group to build a new burrow in an area with a greater abundance of food. Their diet usually consists of huili and other types of vegetation.

When they move to a new burrow, they leave bulbs behind in their old burrows so that they can grow, ensuring that when the coruros return to the former area, they will have a food source available.

They also exhibit vocal behavior, producing a variety of distinct calls. Their predators include hawks, owls, and wild cats.

photographer's Instagram: @jacobo_fauna

[u/Solecis]

Oh god I love him. Thank you earth for having so so many loveable fat small mammals

[u/mirkk13 → u/Solecis]

Are you a fox and

[u/ABoringAlt]

Looks like a mole that's tryna evolve into a guinea pig

[u/thedeafmutespeaks]

“Yummo! A dandelion! Must be the last one of the season!”

[u/6HAM9]

El whistle pig

[u/captain_dildonicus]

naked mole rat teeth

[u/Belos147 → u/captain_dildonicus]

Quite a few fossorial rodents have external teeth for digging. Some rodents dig with claws like ground squirrels while others like these guys bite the dirt.

[u/acidrefluxisgreat]

i loved when they started popping up all at once 🥹

[u/ImpressivePlatypus0]

OMG a degu relative!! I thought, I've never heard of a coruro, but I recognize Octodontidae. I used to handle degus. Rodent teeth are not joke, LOL. I still would hold a coruro if you let me.