Rodents
The rodents is the largest of the mammalian orders, with over 2,000 species in it. Familiar rodents include mice, rats and squirrels, but animals such as the porcupine, the beaver and the agouti are also rodents. All rodents have front teeth specialised for gnawing.
Family
Bathyergidae
Damaraland mole rat (species)
Cavies (Caviidae)The Cavy family are rodents, the most familiar member being the guinea pig. Other species in this family include the capybara and the mara.
Cricetidae
Field vole (species)Myoxidae
Dormouse (species)
Old World rats, mice and allies (Muridae)This family has more species in it than any other mammal family. It includes all the British species of mice and rats, plus gerbils, spiny mice and Australian native mice.
Squirrels (Sciuridae)Squirrels come in three types: tree squirrels, ground squirrels and flying squirrels. In temperate climates, squirrels often store or bury seeds and nuts for the winter.
Earth News
-
Mouse set to be 'evolution icon'
A tiny pale deer mouse living on a sand dune in Nebraska looks set to become an icon of biology.
About
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing.
Forty percent of mammal species are rodents, and they are found in vast numbers on all continents other than Antarctica. Common rodents include mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, porcupines, beavers, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, degus, chinchillas, prairie dogs, and groundhogs. Rodents have sharp incisors that they use to gnaw wood, break into food, and bite predators. Most eat seeds or plants, though some have more varied diets. Some species have historically been pests, eating seeds stored by people and spreading disease.
This entry is from Wikipedia, the user-contributed encyclopedia. If you find the content in the 'About' section factually incorrect, defamatory or highly offensive you can edit this article at Wikipedia. For more information on our use of Wikipedia please read our FAQ.
Scientific Classification
Order: Rodent (Rodentia)
Other Mammalia
- Anteaters and sloths (Pilosa)
- Bats (Chiroptera)
- Carnivora
- Dasyuromorphia (family: Dasyurid marsupials)
- Dugongs and manatees (Sirenia)
- Even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla)
- Hares, rabbits and pikas (Lagomorpha)
- Kangaroos, possums and allies (Diprotodontia)
- Monotremata (species: Platypus)
- Perissodactyla (family: Rhinoceroses)
- Primates
- Whales, dolphins and porpoises (Cetacea)
Site links
BBC links
© MMIX
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.