Almost all rodents are vegetarians. Some, such as squirrels, eat both plants and animals.

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2 Most rodents are burrowing animals, but some live in trees and others spend much of their time in water. Nearly 40% of mammal species are rodents, and they are found on every continent except for Antarctica! There are approximately 2,277 species of rodents! Rodents are gnawing mammals (they constantly nibble and chew to keep their teeth healthy, or when they are bored). Rodents are part of the Mammalia class. They belong to the Rodentia family. These teeth are called incisors. They are very long and sharp! Every rodent has 4 (2 on top, 2 on bottom). There are more species of rodents, and probably more individuals, than there are of all other mammals combined. They include beavers, chipmunks, mice, porcupines, rats, squirrels, and many others! Almost all rodents are vegetarians. Some, such as squirrels, eat both plants and animals.

3 Yes, porcupines are rodents! However, they are wild animals and should not be kept as pets. Porcupines are 1 to 3 feet (45 to 90 cm) long, including the tail. They usually sleep during the day, in burrows, rocky crevices, hollow logs, or trees. They are found in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa! They have about 30,000 quills on their back, sides, and tail. The quills are sharp, stiff hairs. Quills also help a porcupine to swim. The quills have a sponge-like filling that helps the porcupine float on water. Floating in a stream or pond is a great way to enjoy a meal of water plants! There are 22 different species of porcupine. They eat shoots, leaves, fruits, grains, and the inner bark of trees.

4 Rats are small furry rodents found all over the world! Rats can be about four inches (10 cm) to more than one foot (30 cm) long. Large rats weigh up to four pounds (1.8 kg). Most rats have pointed noses, coarse fur, and long, bare tails. Some kinds, however, have hairy tails, and others have no tails at all. Except for a few species, rats are quite harmless to humans. Types of rats: the kangaroo rats of the southwestern United States; the rice rats and cotton rats of the southern United States, Mexico, and South America; the pack rats of Mexico and the United States; and the muskrats that live on the banks of ponds and rivers in nearly all parts of Canada and the United States. The Fancy Rat is a domesticated rat which is the most common type of pet rat. The name fancy rat derives from the idea of "to fancy" (to like, or appreciate). Specially bred as pets since the 18 th century, fancy rats now come in a wide variety of colours and coat types and there exists several rat fancy groups worldwide. Pet rats are much tamer (friendlier) than those in the wild. They re comfortable around humans, and are very smart! Sometimes it will look like a pet rat is bleeding from the eyes! But have no fear, they have red tears!

5 Squirrels live in every continent except for Australia and Antarctica. They are wild animals and should never be kept as pets! There are about 250 species of squirrels divided into two groups: 1. those that live in trees. 2. those that live on the ground. Their chisel-shaped teeth can cut into the shell of a nut. They don t only eat nuts! Squirrels also eat fruit, seeds, grain, and birds' eggs. Squirrels commonly live in tree hollows or in nests they build of leaves, twigs, and grass in tree crotches. They may remain in their nests for several days during cold weather. The common tree squirrel s (that we see everyday) claws are suited for climbing and for clinging to branches. In jumping, the squirrel's tail acts as a controller, allowing the animal to swerve and change directions quickly. The normal life span of a squirrel is 5 to 10 years

6 The beaver is the largest rodent in North America!......But, they are also found in parts of Europe and Asia. An adult beaver is 3 to 4 feet (91 to 120 centimeters) long from its head to the end of its tail. The animal weighs from 40 to 95 pounds (18 to 43 kilograms). They live in woodland ponds, lakes, and streams. Beaver fur is helpful because - It is so thick that it can protect the beaver from insect bites and pointy sticks. - A beaver can waterproof its fur by combing in its body oil with its claws. Once the fur is waterproof, it helps keep the beaver warm as it swims. - The fur traps body heat underneath. It acts like a blanket to keep the beaver warm, even in freezing weather. These are wild animals and should not be kept as pets! What Makes a Beaver a Rodent? A beaver, like all rodents, has four incisors. A beaver has two incisors in its upper jaw and two in its lower jaw. Beavers use their incisors to gnaw. These teeth are capable of cutting through trees 2 feet thick! What Is Special About a Beaver s Tail? A beaver s tail looks somewhat like a boat paddle. It is about 12 inches (30 centimeters) long and 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 centimeters) wide. In the water, it helps the beaver steer while swimming. On land, the tail supports the beaver when it stands up to eat or cut down trees. A beaver s tail also comes in handy as a storage space. It stores body fat that supplies the beaver with energy when food is hard to find.

7 Chinchillas are native to the Andes mountains in South America. Along with their relatives (the viscachas), they make up the family Chinchillidae. They are jumpers and can jump up to 6 ft (1.8 m). In the wild, chinchillas have been observed eating plants, fruits, seeds, and small insects. Pet chinchillas should not eat a diet like this. It could irritate their digestive system. Their diet should consist mainly of hay-based pellets. If a domesticated chinchilla ingests seeds or nuts, it could result in disease or death! In their native habitat, chinchillas live in burrows or crevices in rocks. Chinchillas have many predators in the wild including: birds of prey, skunks, felines (wild cats), snakes, and canines (wild dogs). Chinchillas have a variety of defensive tactics including spraying urine and releasing fur if bitten. Chinchillas instinctively clean their fur by taking dust baths, in which they roll around in special dust made of fine pumice. In the wild, this dust is formed from fine ground volcanic rocks. The dust gets into their fur and absorbs oil and dirt. These baths are needed a few times a week. Chinchillas do not bathe in water because their special fur doesn t air dry close enough to the skin, which can cause fungus growth or fur rot! The fur is so thick that it resists parasites such as fleas. The fur also reduces loose dander (flakes of dry skin), making chinchillas hypo-allergenic! Chinchillas can make great pets! They have a curious and playful nature and can live up to years!

8 Gerbils are typically between 6 and 12 inches (150 to 300 mm) long, including the tail! This means that their tales make up approximately one half of their total length! Gerbils were first introduced to the pet industry in These were the Mongolia species of gerbil. They are also known as the Clawed Jird. They are very gentle and hardy animals! They often exhibit crepuscular behavior, which means they are most active during dawn and dusk. Almost all gerbils are omnivorous, which means they eat both plants and meat. Gerbils are social animals, and live in groups in the wild. They rely on their sense of smell to identify other members of their clan. Gerbils are small and easy to handle, since they are sociable creatures that enjoy the company of humans and other gerbils. This makes them excellent pets!

9 Are Guinea Pigs Really Pigs? Some people shorten the name for their pet guinea pigs to just pigs. Guinea pigs, however, are not related to pigs at all. Guinea pigs are rodents! It is possible that guinea pigs got the second part of their name because they are short and plump, and they grunt and squeal like pigs! Guinea Pigs are herbivores, which means they only eat grasses and other plants. A guinea pig's diet should consist mostly of vegetables and food pellets made especially for guinea pigs. Vegetables that are especially good for them are cauliflower, broccoli, curly kale, endive, romaine lettuce, and cabbage. Guinea Pigs were domesticated by South American peoples in the 1500's. An adult guinea pig is 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) long and weighs about 2 to 3 pounds. Fruits, such as apples and melons, should be an occasional treat! What Should You Look for When Choosing a Guinea Pig? Pick a guinea pig that is lively and has bright, clear eyes. Look closely at the coat of hair. If the hair is thin or falling out, the guinea pig may be sick and will not make a good pet. Make sure the upper teeth slightly overlap its lower teeth. If the teeth do not overlap, the guinea pig may have trouble eating. Also, avoid choosing any guinea pig with teeth that are crooked or out of place; that animal might eventually have health problems. A guinea pig's diet should be rich in vitamin C. They are not able to produce this vitamin themselves and must get it from their food. You may add drops of vitamin C to their water, or put orange slices in their cage! They must also have lots of hay to eat. They love hay!

10 Hamsters are burrowing rodents native to Western Asia. Unlike a rat or mouse, the hamster has a stubby tail and roomy cheek pouches in which it carries food. Hamsters usually hibernate when the temperature drops below 7 C and food is scarce. Pet hamsters are clean, private animals that enjoy exploring and hiding. They are usually kept in cages, available from pet shops that include wood shavings for bedding, a food tray and water bottle, an exercise wheel, and perches. Cages should be spacious and kept out of drafts and bright light. Pellet food sold by pet shops is suitable for a hamster's basic diet but should be supplemented with seeds, raw vegetable greens and roots, and dead insects.

11 A jerboa s body is about 8 inches (20 cm) long. The body is covered with silky, brownish-yellow fur. The front legs are short, and the back legs are extremely long. They have a very long, tufted tail as well. Jerboas travel rapidly in great leaps, and can easily out-run a human! Jerboas are hopping rodents found throughout Asia and Northern Africa. They tend to be found in hot deserts. A jerboa s diet varies. Some are seed, insect, or plant eaters. Others are omnivores (eat both plants and animals). Jerboas have the ability to hop very long distances. This ability helps them escape from predators, and to assist with long journeys and exploration in its desert environment.

12 Does a Mouse Really Love Cheese? A mouse in a house does love cheese and anything else it can sink its teeth into. A mouse will eat almost any food that humans eat. That includes meat and vegetables. A mouse will also eat things that humans won t. For example, it will also eat glue, leather, paste, and soap! YUCK! This tiny rodent is only about 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) long, not counting the tail. It weighs only 1/2 to 1 ounce (14 to 28 grams). The house mouse is the best-known kind of mouse. It lives wherever people live. It nests in homes, garages, and barns. But there are hundreds of other kinds of mice as well. They can be found all over the world in mountains, fields, forests, swamps, and deserts. Pet Mice are also referred to as Fancy Mice. They are kept as pets in many countries for a number of reasons: Fancy mice are relatively small, inexpensive, never need bathing, and can learn to enjoy regular handling. Female mice are called does (like a female deer). They are popular with many owners since they tend to live with other mice better than males. Male mice are called bucks (like a male deer). It is a good idea to keep fancy mice in groups of at least two if possible, because mice are sociable animals.

13 Help Marvin the mouse find his way to the cheese!

14 Rodent Challenge G X J E R B O A N B T I U K C N E R V E T C L U B O E H Y R D R R C H I N C H I L L A P A I M A B M O Z A G E B R M U B F O E T I F P V M T U E S D I L U V L B L R Y Q U R R T W T Y S G U I N E A P I G B E R M A E B L F S T T N H I J R O J T V O Z H E D O A E R S I L A I K D B E A V E R M A X C S T Word Search Find the listed rodents below within the word search. Matching Match the list below with the correct phrase on the right hand side. Draw a line to attach the correct word with the correct phrase. Gerbil Hamster Guinea Pig Found in fields, forests, swamps, and deserts Travel rapidly in great leaps Can waterproof its fur Rat Beaver Jerboa Mouse Chinchilla Enjoys dust baths Has red tears Needs food rich in vitamin C Often exhibit crepuscular behaviour Has roomy cheek pouches