The Oregon Zoo is celebrating the Year of the Rat by highlighting its unusual naked mole rats on Feb. 7.

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A naked mole rat peers out of a hole in this photo by Michael Durham, courtesy Oregon Zoo.

Keeper talks are scheduled at the naked mole rat exhibit at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Visitors can learn what makes these wrinkly, bucktoothed creatures some of the most interesting animals at the zoo. They can also check out the highly endangered Malayan sun bears, whose range includes southern China. Keepers will talk about the sun bears and their imperiled status at 10 a.m. at the sun bear exhibit.

"Chinese New Year is a great opportunity to highlight some animals that don't get as much attention as some of our larger animals," said Oregon Zoo Event Coordinator Krista Swan. "We want visitors who come to our events to have fun, but also make a connection with our animals, so they leave the zoo wanting to make the world a better place for wildlife."

The zoo's gift shop is also offering a 20 percent discount on naked mole rat plush purchases on Feb. 7. The "cute" little critters can serve as a yearlong reminder that 2008 is indeed the Year of the Rat.