Mole rat

Mole rats are giant rodents who just love to sink their teeth into your flesh. While the giant mole rats found on the West Coast are mostly covered with fur, the ones from the East Coast are not, possibly being mutations of different species.

Origins
On the "Pentagon Library Terminal" in the Citadel, it can be discovered that the mole rats in the Capital Wasteland (and possibly the other mutated rats in Fallout and Fallout 2) are the result of an American government program (codenamed 'CLOACINA') to develop an invasive lifeform 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 propensity to render subjects sterile (defeating the whole purpose of the rats' being invasive).

Biology
An Enclave field report in Fallout 3 classifies mole rats as follows:
 * Kingdom: Animalia
 * Phylum: Chordata
 * Class: Mammalia
 * Order: Rodentia
 * Family: Bathyergidae

According to the report, mole rats most closely resemble a Heterocephalus Glaber with enlargement due to heavy radiation. While larger than their ancestors, the 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 rats have extremely low levels of Substance P which results in an incredible pain tolerance.

Fallout, Fallout 2
Mole rats can often be found in packs together with pig rats and giant rats. Mole rats can be dispatched with relative ease using second and third tier small guns and energy weapons, most notably combat shotguns and plasma pistols. Early on however, the easiest way to kill them is to aim for the eyes, a critically vulnerable part, as with any creature; human or not. A player with a good unarmed or melee skill can effectively euthanize one by doing so.

Albino Mole Rats
A rare variety of intelligent, albino mole rats exists, and their origins are unknown. They're a bit bigger than a normal mole rat and have a pair of red eyes. The only two known specimens are Keeng Ra'at and Brain.

Fallout 3

 * In Fallout 3, the mole rat, more similar to the pig rat of yore, will most likely be the first creature other than the radroach and bloatfly that you encounter, and also one of the easiest to kill. However, in large numbers they can be dangerous to low-level players.


 * The Animal Friend perk affects mole rats.


 * Mole rat meat can be used to make mole rat wonder meat.


 * Moira Brown noted in her computer terminal that mole rats can be domesticated, but only after de-clawing, de-teething, and a lobotomy.
 * There is a segment of The Wasteland Survival Guide mission in which you're tasked with testing out a repellent stick for mole rats. Striking a mole rat with it will kill it within seconds. A second blow will finish the job instantly, and count as a kill with the effect.
 * It's likely that the green substance in the repellent stick is the trigger for the genetic 'kill switch' effect noted in the Pentagon Terminal.
 * Mole rats can be seen standing on their hind legs, and looking around. Mole rats also occasionally yawn.
 * There is a friendly mole rat in Jury Street Metro named Pumpkin.

Fallout: New Vegas

 * Mole rats in the Mojave Wasteland have been known to be tamed, while most are still hostile. There is a friendly mole rat named Snuffles.


 * Mole rat pups can also be found, similar to regular mole rats except they are smaller and easy to kill. They can be found along with another pup and a regular mole rat sometimes.


 * Their size is much larger than in the Capital Wasteland and growl when approaching a hostile enemy.

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
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