rodents library

Nearly 40% of mammal species are rodents, and they are found on every continent except Antarctica. Rodents include mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks and beavers, among others.

Why do beavers build dams?

Featured Article: Why do beavers build dams?

Environmentalists agree that beaver dams help the environment by creating wetlands but why are some landowners and farm owners getting riled up? How could these dams be hazardous to roads, bridges and levees? See more »

Why do beavers build dams?

Why do beavers build dams?

Environmentalists agree that beaver dams help the environment by creating wetlands but why are some landowners and farm owners getting riled up? How could these dams be hazardous to roads, bridges and levees?

See more »
Beaver

Beaver

Beaver, the largest North American rodent. Beavers also are found in parts of Euope and Asia.

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Gerbil

Gerbil

Gerbil, any of various small rodents native to Africa and Asia. There are many species, including the Mongolian gerbil, which is native to Asia.

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Guinea Pig

Guinea Pig

Guinea Pig, a short, stocky rodent often kept as a pet. It is believed to have been domesticated by the Incas from a South American cavy.

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Lemming

Lemming

Lemming, a small rodent that inhabits northern latitudes. Lemmings grow to a length of six inches (15 cm), including a one-inch (2.5-cm) tail.

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Squirrel

Squirrel

Squirrel, a small, active, bushy-tailed mammal. The name comes from the Greek for "shade-tailed." Squirrels are gnawing mammals, or rodents.

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Woodchuck

Woodchuck

Woodchuck, or Groundhog, an American marmot. The woodchuck is a burrowing animal that ranges from Hudson Bay to South Carolina and westward almost to the Rockies.

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Agouti

Agouti, a rodent found in South and Central America and southern Mexico, often kept as a pet.

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Capybara

Capybara, Capivara, or Carpinche, an animal found in tropical and subtropical regions of South America, especially in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins.

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Cavy

Cavy, the common name of five genera of rodents native to South America. The members of four genera have rounded bodies with large heads and short ears and limbs; the members of the fifth genus have rabbitlike bodies with small heads and long limbs and ears.

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Chinchilla

Chinchilla, a small, fur-bearing rodent. It is native to the high Andes of South America, but also lives in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

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Chipmunk

Chipmunk, a small, burrowing North American rodent belonging to the squirrel family.

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Deer Mouse

Deer Mouse, or White-footed Mouse, the common names for about 55 species of mice that live throughout North America.

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Dormouse

Dormouse, a squirrel-like, bushy-tailed mouse found in Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is not found in America.

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Field Mouse

Field Mouse, or Meadow Mouse, a small, stout-bodied rodent with short legs, small, rounded ears, a blunt snout, and a short, hairy tail.

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Gopher

Gopher, a burrowing rodent found from southern Canada south to Panama There are 37 species of gophers, 15 of which are found in the United States.

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Ground Squirrel

Ground Squirrel, a burrowing member of the squirrel family. Some species of ground squirrels are called gophers, although they are not related to true gophers.

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Hamster

Hamster, a burrowing rodent native to western Asia. It looks somewhat like a short, plump rat with thick, soft fur.

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Jerboa

Jerboa, a jumping rodent native to arid parts of the Eastern Hemisphere. Its body, about eight inches (20 cm) long, is covered with silky, brownish-yellow fur.

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Jumping Mouse

Jumping Mouse, or Kangaroo Mouse, a small North American rodent. The jumping mouse is not a true mouse and is not related to the kangaroo rat.

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