Knowing more about Rodents

Most of these incredible animals are small with robust bodies, short limbs and long tails. They use their sharp incisors to gnaw food, excavate burrows and defend themselves. Most of these animals eat seeds and vegetables, but some of them have more varied diet. They tend to be sociable animals; which makes them great candidates as pets.

About 40 % of all mammal species are rodents and also are the most diversified mammalian who lives in a variety of terrestrial habitats, including human-made environments. There are more than 2,000 species of rodents, grouped in 30 families and 418 genders; the most popular are mice, rats, guinea pig, hamsters, prairie dogs, capybaras, chipmunk, porcupines and beavers.

Some fascinating rodent’s facts are:

1. The little rodents have big appetites, despite their diminutive size; they can eat between 15 and 20 times a day. They like to eat frequently, and live extremely close to any food sources.

2. They are excellent gymnasts, for example, mice are great at jumping and climbing. In fact, a tiny mouse can jump as high as a foot in the air, allowing them to scale high.

3. Exceptional escape artists! A little ferret can squeeze through a narrow hole to get where he wants to go.

4. Rodent’s lifespans is very short, although hamsters can live between two or four years old in captivity, in the wild the chances are lower due to predators like owls and snakes.

5. Some of them can reproduce as young as 2 months of age and mate every three weeks. This means a single one can give birth to as many as 100 offspring in a year!

6. Some rodents like the capybara, are excellent swimmers; they can stand in the water for several hours.

Many of these animals are ideals as pets, they are playful, friendly, docile, and easy to take care of. However, they required attention and love another family member.