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What is a rodent? |
Small Mammals
They’re furry and they sure know how to scurry! They are rodents, animals with large front teeth to help them chew. Rats, mice, gophers, chipmunks, squirrels, hamsters and guinea pigs are all examples of rodents! In facts, rodents are the largest group of those warm-blooded hairy animals we call mammals.
Fun fact: the teeth of rodents are constantly growing! Why aren’t they as long and tall as a ladder?! Because rodents are always gnawing, which wears down their teeth and keeps them sharp!
While some rodents are herbivores (plant-eaters), most eat a combination of both plants and insects/animals. There are rodents that are nocturnal, or mostly active at night, while others are diurnal, or mostly active during the day. Some are active during parts of both the day and night! Rodents nest in a variety of locations, from tree holes and nests to burrows and tunnels.
The largest rodent is the capybara. This creature lives in Central and South America, and its body can reach a length of more than 100 centimeters!
