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Naked mole rats prove pretty privilege is overrated

Is being ugly the secret to a long life?

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.

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

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Tue 14 Oct 202502:50GMT
BBC World Service East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only

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  • Mon 13 Oct 202517:50GMT
    BBC World Service News Internet
  • Tue 14 Oct 202502:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only

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