The giant mole-rat has a stout, mole-like body and small, yet functional eyes. It is a powerful burrower, equipped with short, strong limbs and claws. When a pile of soil has built up behind it, the animal turns and pushes the soil to the surface with the side of its head and one forefoot. It is active both day and night and feeds on plant material above and below ground. Surprisingly for such a common species, nothing is known of the breeding habits of the mole-rat.