Rodentia

Rodents (Rodentia) is an order of mammals characterized by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing.[1][2] Forty percent of mammal species are rodents, and they are found in vast numbers on all continents other than Antarctica. Common rodents include mice, rats, squirrels, porcupines, beavers, chipmunks, guinea pigs, and voles. [1] Rodents have sharp incisors that they use to gnaw wood, break into food, and bite predators. Most eat seeds or plants, though some have more varied diets. The name comes from the Latin word rodens, "gnawing one". [3]

References

  1. 1 2 "rodent - Encyclopedia.com" (HTML). Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  2. ↑ "Rodents: Gnawing Animals" (HTML). Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  3. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodentia
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