Tuesday, 25 March 2025
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Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Rodents are animals that gnaw continuously with incisors. It is known that 40 percent of mammals on earth are rodents. Rodents are widely spread throughout the continents. They occur everywhere and inhabit it, even human homes. The specialized features of all rodents are the gnawing teeth they possess. They reproduce extremely quickly and can cause significant damage to human property. They inhabit warm places and often look for shelters in places like these. These rodents carry the ability to rummage silently through homes and cause massive damage.
Here’s a list of rodents and facts about them-
Beavers are large rodents. These usually inhabit rivers and dense forests. They typically eat fallen leaves, twigs, and branches. They spend a lot of time in water and have body adaptations to support this. This is the largest rodent in North America. These are called the architects of the rodent world and use their teeth to create channels in trees.
Blesmols are also called mole rats. These are burying members of the mice family and represent evolution. They have a good sense of hearing and touch. Blesmols have powerful incisors that help them dig in the soil. They primarily eat roots, tubers, and bulbs.
These are quiet, odorless rodents. They have a soft, dense fur and have a habit of gnawing and chewing things. Chinchilla rats stay well in temperature between 10- 18 degrees Celsius. They hide in warm places and chew on wooden, rubber and cardboard objects
Coypu is a large semi-aquatic rodent that is herbivorous. It lives around burrows and water bodies. Coypu resembles a rat with an enormous tail. It can be identified by the muzzle, webbed hind feet, and large, bright orange-yellow incisors. Coypus have a large appetite and eat about 25 percent of their body weight.
These are the world’s most giant rodents and usually inhabit swamps and Grasslands. These are known for their amazing swimming skills. The average grown capybara is 130 cm in length.
These are small striped squirrels. These dwell around in social settings and are quite comfortable foraging food there. They survive on a diet of fruits, nuts, and seeds. They also feed on human food. Around humans, they eat cultivated grains and pulses. These are diurnal animals and sleep at least 15 hours a day.
Chipmunks live more on the ground rather than trees like any other squirrel. The striking features are front paws, striped fur, and cheek pouch.
Gerbils are close relatives of mice and rats. They usually live in warm places like underground burrows. These rodents usually feed on seeds and are not much dependent on water for their hydration needs. These often inhabit human colonies. The striking features of gerbils are string back legs, tawny fur, and a very long tail.
These are round fluff rodents and belong to a family called cavies. These are group dwellers and live with their entire family in burrows underground. A fascinating fact of Guinea pigs is their communication method which comprises squeaks and burbles. The striking features are colorful fur, large eyes, and sharp claws. These have a wide angle of vision of about 340 degrees. Their natural diet is green grass and fresh Timothy hay. These are involved a lot in several scientific experiments, and they offer great evidence.
Hamsters are chubby short-tailed rodents who prefer living in long underground tunnels. These rodents hide from predators during the day and night and choose dusk and dawn to forage their food. A unique adaptation helps them stuff food in the pouches of their cheeks. These hamsters store the stuffed food in their burrows for a later time. An exciting fact is that a female hamster, in times of danger, hides babies in these pouches.
The smallest and most successful rodents cause tremendous damage to property. Pointed snouts and long hairless tails characterize them. They are found in all kinds of terrains and are experts in inhabiting human colonies. These eat scraps of food in the homes they live in and are Laos carriers of many diseases. These can be either domestic kind, wood mouse, or a harvest mouse. The differentiating feature is short ears, snout and long tails. These also have long whiskers that help them navigate in the dark. Mice have a strong sense of smell, sight, and hearing and can spot danger from far.
Porcupines are large rodents with sharp spines. These are also called prickly monsters. They aren’t covered with soft hair and prickly thorns. These help them to prevent predator attacks. These are excellent climbers and spend time in trees. They have large front teeth and a huge appetite. The distinctive features include grayish brown to black body with silver and black spines.
The larger relatives of mice, rats, are the species that can wreak havoc in human settlements. They are intelligent animals and can feed on anything available. The best-known rats are black and brown. These pests destroy farms, storage, and warehouses. They can chew through anything and even damage pipes and wires. Rats have a healthy body and sturdy legs that help them maneuver quickly throughout the area they inhabit.
The most widespread rodents inhabiting the earth are squirrels. These are found in each and every type of terrain. They possess a slim, flexible body that helps them jump and climb. Their tails have a unique adaptation that helps them balance their bodies. They feed on nuts and seeds. Their long husks help them nibble food. The distinguishing features are long eek body, tail, gripping paws, and brown fur.
This is one of the largest and most reliable ground squirrels. These live below the ground or on trees. These species of rodents have extra-large front teeth. These prefer grassy loans and a courtyard of homes. This is an animal that lives solitarily and goes into deep burrows for hibernation. The striking features are sharp claws, thick fur, and long whiskers.
