 | This is a lore summary, presenting intradiegetic or in-universe information about the subject. For game characteristics and similar data, consult the table on the right. |
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Mole rats are giant rodents that mutated after the Great War.
Biology[]
Mutated mole (Talpidae)[]
A highly mutated mole mutated by radiation into a large, territorial beast, the burrowing mole rat is distinguished by its large body covered with brown, coarse fur and heightened aggression. It tolerates the presence of pig rats and giant rats, but remains aggressive against any other species. The mutated mole is commonly found in New California regions.
Mutated African mole rat (Bathyergidae)[]
The mutated African mole rat is a creature with a complex history, developed for a covert U.S. bioweapon research project: Mission Cloacina. In order to undermine Chinese infrastructure, the naked mole rat would be tailored into a biological weapon, the Mutant Undermining Lifeform. When released into enemy territory, its aggressive qualities, hunger, and breeding rates would enable it to undermine local infrastructure. The MUL genetic design used rodent stock primarily, ranging from the common sewer rat, through the naked mole rat, to the African mole rat. A genetic kill switch was coded into their DNA, allowing the military to purge the MUL from an area in short order, only having to clean them up. The project's effectiveness against China is unknown. What's known is that the MULs escaped into the wild during the Great War, becoming a common pest across the United States.[1]
Although the MUL is genetically closest to the African mole rat of family Bathyergidae, its appearance closely resembles that of the naked mole rat, Heterocephalus glaber, enlarged due to exposure to radiation. It is significantly larger than its predecessors, but an increase in body mass and strength was not accompanied by a corresponding increase in brain mass (its brain organ is disproportionately small). Its incisors are razor sharp thanks to increased enamel and dentine growth, while low levels of substance P (a neuropeptide tied to pain and inflammatory processes) provide it with a phenomenally high pain tolerance.[2] MULs are very adept burrowers, easily traveling underground and bursting through the surface to ambush their prey.[3]
Variants[]
Hairy mole rat[]
A mutated mole only found in New California. 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 New California. They were created during explosion in advanced research lab. Cages were broken open, and they were doused with some sort of fluid from a huge vat.[4]
They are 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.
Naked 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 three or four, but rarely in two or by themselves.
Naked mole rat pup[]
These are young naked mole rats and are smaller and weaker in combat. They usually stay close to their mother.
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, the mole rat pet 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 The 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.
Gallery[]
Naked mole rat in Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas.
Fallout 3 concept art by Adam Adamowicz.
Fallout 3 concept art by Adam Adamowicz.
Fallout 3 concept art by Adam Adamowicz.
Fallout 3 concept art by Adam Adamowicz.
Fallout 3 concept art by Adam Adamowicz.
Fallout 3 concept art by Adam Adamowicz.
Fallout 3 concept art by Adam Adamowicz.
Fallout 3 concept art by Adam Adamowicz.
References
- ↑ Citadel terminals; Pentagon Library Terminal, Mission Cloacina Report: "CODENAME: CLOACINA
Development Report
Development of the Mutant Undermining Lifeform continues apace, and our chief bio-engineers are certain that they will be able to perfect these living weapons in time for deployment into Red China.
Once covertly released into an enemy's environment, their aggressive qualities, dangerous hunger, and pervasive breeding should severely undermine the infrastructure of the location in short order, softening the target for ground invasion. At this point, the genetic kill-switch can be activated, allowing for easy reclamation -- not including a significant, one-time clean up effort.
Current MUL development primarily uses genetic stock of rodents, particularly the common sewer rat, and progress has been significant. FEV testing has been rejected, however, as the results are sterile." - ↑ Enclave field terminals; Enclave Field Research Terminal, Field Entry: Molerat: "Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Bathyergidae
Subject most closely resembles a Heterocephalus Glaber with enlargement due to heavy radiation. While much larger in size than generational ancestors, the local variety seems to have similarly low brain function, possibly due to an exceedingly tiny brain organ. Subject's incisors show increased enamel and dentine growth, making them razor sharp. Further study reveals extremely low levels of Substance P giving this subject an incredible tolerance to pain. I will take skin samples of my next subject as I believe the lack of Substance P can be spliced and manipulated for beneficial research, but this theory requires testing in a more fitting lab." - ↑ Fallout 4 loading screen hints: "Mole Rats often travel underground and then burst through the surface to ambush their prey."
- ↑ The Chosen One: "{331}{}{Uh, yeah. Whatever you say.}"
Brain: "{360}{}{You humans have such limited tolerances. I would have remained a normal rat if you humans hadn’t done your best to destroy the world. If it weren’t for the radiation, I wouldn’t be what I am today.}"
The Chosen One: "{361}{}{And what's that, exactly?}"
Brain: "{380}{}{I was just one of many normal rats in a advanced research lab. Then, one day, there were explosions. Our cages were broken open, and we were doused with some sort of fluid from a huge vat.}"
The Chosen One: "{381}{}{Then what?}"
Brain: "{390}{}{I crawled outside. As I began to heal, I noticed that I had changed. I tried to communicate with people, but they all just tried to kill me. Humans are just too violent to survive under their own leadership -- but that’s another story. The first step is to repair the reactor.}"
(GCBRAIN.MSG)
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