Rodentia

Rodentia, from Latin rōdēns (“gnawer; one who gnaws”), in reference to the fact that the majority of these animals have the frequent habit to gnaw.

Common names of members

Mice, rats, squirrels, prairie dogs, porcupines, beavers, capybaras, guinea pigs, and hamsters.

Distribution

All continents except Antarctica, New Zealand, and some oceanic islands.

Size

The majority of them weigh less than 100 g, while the largest species can weigh up to 66 kg.

Morphology

Most of them are small animals with squat bodies, short limbs, and long tails. The hind limbs often contain three to five digits, whereas the fore limbs typically have five digits, including an opposable thumb. Many techniques are employed by different animals to move about, such as quadrupedal walking, running, burrowing, climbing, bipedal hopping, swimming, and even gliding. The forearms are quite flexible because of the elbow. Their incisors are constantly growing, have open roots, and are razor sharp. With no canines or anterior premolars, the majority of animals have up to 22 teeth. In most species, there is a gap, or diastema, between the incisors and the cheek teeth.

Habitat & Ecology

From scorching deserts to frigid tundras, they have adapted to practically every type of terrestrial environment.

Diet

Despite being generally herbivores, eating leaves, grasses, seeds, fruits and roots, the majority of tiny species opportunistically consume fish, meat, worms, insects, and fungi. A limited number of them have evolved to only consume animal products.

Reproduction

Many of them live in groups. Group size varies among species. Most of them have a high reproductive rate. They have a large litter size and can give birth multiple times a year. Their maturation time is short.