Rodents

 

Rodents are a family of mammals characterized by their physical traits, such as their two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing. Rodents have sharp incisors that they use to gnaw wood, break into food, and bite predators. Most rodents eat seeds or plants and some have more varied diets. Some species have historically been pests, eating seeds stored by people and spreading disease. There are about 2,277 species of rodents and about forty percent of mammal species are rodents. They are mostly found in vast numbers on all continents other than Antarctica. Common rodents include mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, porcupines, beavers, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, chinchillas, prairie dogs, and groundhogs. Rodents are important in many ecosystems because they reproduce rapidly, and can function as food sources for predators, mechanisms for seed dispersal, and as disease vectors. Humans use rodents as a source of fur, as pets, and as model organisms in animal testing, for food. Why do you think that rodents reproduce so rapidly? Also, if the rodent reproduction rate decreased what other factors or ecosystems would be influenced? Give some examples of common rodents.

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   gerbilblogger12 Said:

   on May 2, 2011 at 3:47 pm

   I have pet gerbils and there not pests lol, but great info on them

   Come visit my new gerbil blog about my gerbils !

   Reply

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