Order Rodentia

gnawing mammals

gophers, mice, rats, squirrels, porcupines, beavers, chipmunks

This is the largest order of mammals. There are over 1,500 species of rodents. Rodents are found all over the world, except for in Antarctica, New Zealand and some ocean islands. They are found in a variety of habitats including rainforests, deserts, swamps, tundra, coniferous and deciduous forests, and grasslands. They range in size from the smallest of mice to the pig-sized capybara. Most species are omnivores, but some species are herbivores. Some species, like chipmunks and hamsters, have pouches on the sides of their mouths for storing food. Some species, like squirrels, spend most of their time in trees, other species, like beavers, spend a lot of time in the water. All rodents have one thing in common, they have specialized teeth for gnawing. They have a pair of sharp, chisel-like upper and lower incisors that are continuously growing! The front of the incisors is covered with thick protective layers of enamel. The back side of the incisors has no enamel. As rodents gnaw their food, the back side of their incisors wears away, this keeps the edges of their incisors nice and sharp! They don't have canine teeth, so their is a gap between their incisors and their molars. This gap makes it easier for them gnaw with their their incisors!