Are big ears, tails, and eyes simply anatomical "junk" to subterranean mammals? These animals show remarkable convergent evolution for reducing external ears, tails, and eyes. The naked mole‐rat (NMR, Heterocephalus glaber) displays these features, as well as unusual characteristics even among subterraneans (cold‐blooded and completely furless). Whereas visual and auditory spatial cues are of diminished importance, NMRs are specialized for alternative modalities (primarily via mechanoceptors). We are studying yet other unusual characteristics, which include two structures that may be heading for the anatomical junk pile. First, the NMR is the only mammal with a vomeronasal organ (VNO) that shows no post‐natal growth and sexual suppression is not mediated by urinary signals as in other rodents. Second, the nerve network for processing pain from chemicals (acid and capsaicin) is reduced and lacks neuropeptides that usually signal pain. NMRs are the only mammals that feel no pain from these substances. These features may be a result of this species' unusual combination of lifestyle traits (subterranean + hundreds of individuals + extremely social), resulting in CO2 levels high enough to cause acidosis and chemical pain. Coincidentally, the neuropeptides that are lacking from the pain system also mediate the VNO's vascular pump. NMRs provide unique insights into sensory specialization and evolutionary loss.