The specific epithet honours the Prussian explorer and naturalist Friedrich Wilhelm Alexander von Mechow.

Its range extends from central Angola and northern Zambia to southern and eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and southwestern Tanzania.

Its typical habitat is scrubby savannah or dense woodland in areas with rainfall in excess of 1,100 millimetres (43 in).

[1] Mole-rats are adapted for life underground and have cylindrical bodies, small eyes and large incisors which they use for digging.

The tunnelling activities are mostly for foraging purposes as they search for the roots and tubers that form their diet.