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This is an overview article, listing content appearing in multiple games. |
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Mole rats are giant rodents that were engineered by the United States before the Great War.
Despite the fact that they have the same name, two species can be distinguished. The mole rats found on the Core Region are mostly covered with fur and come from moles, and those from the East Coast and the Mojave Wasteland are furless and come from naked mole rats which come mostly from governmental experiments rather than the area, as mole rats are not native to the United States of America.
Background
Mole rats have sharp claws and even sharper tusks that they use to tear great chunks of flesh from their prey. Mole rats are either huge rats or the result of gene-splicing Kodiak bears with maladjusted lab rats. Fortunately, they seldom run in packs larger than a half dozen or so.[1]
Origins
On the "Pentagon Library terminal" in the Citadel, it can be discovered that the mole rats in the Capital Wasteland are the result of an American government program (codenamed "CLOACINA") to develop an invasive life form that could be planted in China, where its aggression and fast breeding would help undermine the Chinese war effort. It is noted that a genetic "kill switch" was included to help the US Army clean up the rats after the theoretical fall of China. Additionally, it is revealed that the researchers attempted to use the Forced Evolutionary Virus to further augment their creations, but dismissed this course of action as FEV had a tendency to render subjects sterile (defeating the whole purpose of the rats' being invasive).
Biology
An Enclave field report in Fallout 3 classifies naked mole rats as follows:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Bathyergidae
According to the report, naked mole rats most closely resemble a Heterocephalus glaber, also known as the sand puppy or desert mole rats. Their enlargement is due to heavy radiation exposure. While larger than their ancestors, the naked mole rats have similarly low brain function, possibly due to an exceedingly tiny brain organ. Their incisors show increased enamel and dentin growth, making them razor sharp. In addition, the naked mole rats have extremely low levels of Substance P which results in an incredible pain tolerance.
Variants
Hairy mole rat
A mutated mole only found in the Core Region. They can often be found in packs together with pig rats and giant rats.
Hairy albino mole rat
A rare variety of intelligent hairy albino mole rat only found in Core Region. Their origins are unknown but like albino deathclaw, appears to be caused due to a different mutation with the FEV.
They're a bit bigger than a normal hairy mole rat, have a light brown hair and red eyes. They can talk and have a relatively higher intelligence than the average. The only two known specimens are Keeng Ra'at and Brain.
Mole rat
A mutated naked mole rat found in East Coast and the Mojave Wasteland. They have very little hair on their body and are usually found in packs of roughly 3 or 4, but rarely in 2 or by themselves.
Mole rat pup
These are young naked mole rats and are smaller and weaker in combat. They usually stay close to their mother.
Giant mole rat
These are giant mutations of the regular mole rats in Fallout 3, used as transport. They were cut from the game.
Notes
- It appears that there are some that have been able domesticate mole rats, as seen in the Molerat Mambo in Fallout 2, Mole rat race track in Fallout 3 or Snuffles located at Sloan in Fallout: New Vegas. Despite this, in Fallout 3, you are unable to learn how this domestication came about for Moira Brown.
- It is shown in the Fallout 3 quest Wasteland Survival Guide that naked mole rats are highly allergic to certain chemicals that are used in a repellent, so much so it makes their heads explode.
- Mole Rat skins have also been used as decoration. These can be found in several homes and shelters in both the Capital wastelands. Oddly, blood will splatter when these rugs are shot.
Appearances
Mole rats appear in Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. They were going to appear in the canceled Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel 2.
Gallery
