In order to detect body areas responsible for heat loss, surface temperatures in two species of African mole-rats were measured at different ambient air temperatures by infrared thermography. Fur characteristics were also evaluated. Thinner pelage of theventrum, its moderate temperature and large size suggest that ventral side of the body is the main thermal avenue for heat loss in both species. Interspecific differences would be explained by different fur characteristics connected with social thermoregulation. The solitary H. argenteocinereus seems to be more sensitive to overheating than the social F. mechowii. At lower air temperatures, the social species may uses huddling to combat hypothermia.