Zokors are Asiatic burrowing rodents resembling mole-rats. They include two genera: Myospalax and Eospalax. Zokors are native to much of China, Kazakhstan, and Siberian Russia.
Traditionally, zokors were thought to be closely related to either hamsters (Cricetinae) or voles (Arvicolinae), but recent molecular phylogenetic studies have demonstrated they are more closely related to blind mole-rats (Spalacinae) and root and bamboo rats (Rhizomyinae) in the family Spalacidae. It appears that one of the first important evolutionary splits in muroid rodents is between burrowing forms and nonburrowing forms.[citation needed]
Unlike the other spalacids, which primarily use their incisors, zokors use their powerful front claws for digging. They have small eyes and no external ears. Zokors feed on plant matter such as tubers and seeds.
Zokor bone is sometimes used as a more environmentally friendly alternative to tiger bone in traditional Chinese medicine. This product is called sailonggu.[citation needed]
Zokors are Asiatic burrowing rodents resembling mole-rats. They include two genera: Myospalax and Eospalax. Zokors are native to much of China, Kazakhstan...
southeastern Europe. It includes the blind mole-rats, bamboo rats, mole-rats, and zokors. This family represents the oldest split (excluding perhaps the Platacanthomyidae)...
The Chinese zokor (Eospalax fontanierii) is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae. It is endemic to China, ranging from Qinghai Province eastwards...
The false zokor (Myospalax aspalax) is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae. It is found in eastern Khentei and eastern Khingan in Mongolia and...
The Transbaikal zokor (Myospalax psilurus) is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae. It is found in China, Mongolia, and Russia. Shar, S., Tsytsulina...
The Siberian zokor (Myospalax myospalax) is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae. It is found in Kazakhstan and Russia. Cassola, F. (2016). "Myospalax...
Spalacidae. It contains these species of zokor: False zokor, M. aspalax Siberian zokor, M. myospalax Transbaikal zokor, M. psilurus Wilson, D. E.; Reeder,...
Kilpatrick, C. W.; Honeycutt, R. L. (2004). "The phylogenetic position of the zokors (Myospalacinae) and comments on the families of muroids (Rodentia)". Molecular...
Spalacidae. It contains these species: Chinese zokor, E. fontanierii Rothschild's zokor, E. rothschildi Smith's zokor, E. smithii Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M...
substitute tiger bones. The Chinese zokor, Rothschild's zokor and Smith's zokor are endemic to China. The range of the Chinese zokor extends across north China...
family Muridae), the crested rat (subfamily Lophiomyinae, family Muridae), zokors (subfamily Myospalacinae, family Spalacidae), the white-tailed rat (subfamily...
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