Rodents make up the largest group of mammals, and they all share one feature: a pair of front teeth that keep growing throughout life. Gnawing on seeds, roots and wood keeps those teeth worn down. The group ranges from the tiny harvest mouse, which weaves nests among stalks of grass, to the capybara of South America, the biggest rodent in the world. Prairie dogs live in huge underground towns, while gophers and pack rats are expert diggers and collectors.
Many rodents are also popular, gentle pets. Here you can read care guides for hamsters, gerbils and chinchillas, find advice on choosing pet rat cages, and explore profiles of wild species from deer mice to agoutis.
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Bushy-tailed jird Scientific name Sekeetamys calurus Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Family Muridae Genus Sekeetamys Conservation status Least Concern Type Gerbil-like rodent Diet Rodent seed mix, pellets and dog biscuit Habitat Rocky areas Native range Jordan, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel Size Body 9.8-12.8 cm;…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Agouti Scientific name Dasyprocta punctata Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Family Dasyproctidae Genus Dasyprocta Conservation status Least Concern Type Tropical American rodent Diet Fruit and vegetables such as carrots and melon Habitat Tropical forests and lowlands Native range Southern Mexico to the Amazon, Andes and…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Acacia rat Scientific name Thallomys paedulcus Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Family Muridae Genus Thallomys Conservation status Least Concern Type Climbing rodent (family Muridae) Diet Seeds, fruit, vegetables and insects Habitat Tropical and subtropical dry shrubland Native range Eastern and southern Africa Size Body 12-16…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Capybara Scientific name Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Family Caviidae Genus Hydrochoerus Conservation status Least Concern Type World’s largest rodent Diet Grass, water plants, fruit and vegetables Habitat Near water: flooded grasslands and marshes Native range South America Size 107-134 cm long Weight…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name House mouse Scientific name Mus musculus Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Family Muridae Genus Mus Conservation status Least Concern Type Tiny rodent with a long bare tail Diet Hamster food or pellets, dog biscuit, carrot and apple Size About 3.5 in (9 cm), excluding tail…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Gopher Scientific name Geomyidae Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Type Small burrowing rodent Diet Omnivore: nuts, seeds, roots, grass, insects Habitat Tunnels in grassland and mountain fields Native range North America Size Up to 15 in (38 cm) long Weight About 230 g (0.5 lb)…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Black rat Scientific name Rattus rattus Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Family Muridae Genus Rattus Conservation status Least Concern Type Climbing rodent (roof rat, ship rat) Diet Omnivore: cereals, fruit, grain and insects Habitat Coastal areas; high places like roofs and treetops Native range India…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Greater Egyptian jerboa Scientific name Jaculus orientalis Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Family Dipodidae Genus Jaculus Conservation status Least Concern Type Jumping desert rodent Diet Herbivore: desert truffles and plants Habitat Dry shrubland, farmland and sandy coasts Native range North Africa, Israel and Saudi Arabia…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Zebra mouse Scientific name Lemniscomys Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Family Muridae Type Striped African grass mouse Diet Omnivore: fruit, vegetables, insects and seeds Habitat Grassy areas Native range Africa Size 18.5-29 cm long; about half is tail Weight 18-70 g Special feature Dark stripes…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Siberian chipmunk Scientific name Tamias sibiricus Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Family Sciuridae Genus Tamias Conservation status Least Concern Type Small striped rodent (squirrel family) Diet Omnivore: nuts, fruit and vegetables Habitat Mixed and coniferous forests with bushy undergrowth Native range Korea, northern Asia from…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Deer mouse Scientific name Peromyscus maniculatus Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Family Cricetidae Genus Peromyscus Conservation status Least Concern Type Small rodent (white-footed mouse relative) Diet Omnivore: fruit, seeds, insects, fungi, leaves Habitat Grasslands, brush, woods and forests Native range North America; not southeast USA…
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts Common name Short-eared elephant shrew Scientific name Macroscelides proboscideus Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Macroscelidea Family Macroscelididae Genus Macroscelides Conservation status Least Concern Type Small insect-eating mammal (sengi) Diet Termites, ants, small invertebrates, roots and berries Habitat Dry scrubland, grassland and hot deserts Native range South Africa, Botswana…