Small mammals

   The vast majority of small mammals that are popular as pets belong to the rodent family. The word "rodent" comes from the Latin word rodere, meaning "to gnaw", and describes the very sharp pair of chisel-shaped incisor teeth found in each jaw right at the front of the mouth. The shape and strength of these teeth is crucial to the survival of rodents as they enable them to crack seeds and nuts easily. Unlike our teeth, they continue growing throughout the rodent's life. This is essential to stop them from wearing down, which would prevent the rodent from eating.

   

   Rabbits are not actually rodents, but are grouped instead with hares and pikas in a separate family known as lagomorphs. However, the structure of their teeth is very similar to that of rodents, except that they have a further tiny set of incisors each side of the main teeth at the front of the mouth. 

   

   Most rodents are relatively small in size, which makes them vulnerable to larger predators. As a result, they have keen senses to help avoid detection. Their hearing is very acute, and they often communicate with each other using ultrasonic calls, which we are unable to hear because the frequencies are too high for our hears. They also have a very keen sense of smell. However, rodents generally have poor vision, since they spend much of their time hidden away in burrows during the day, emerging to forage for food at night.


   In this group of animals I am going to talk about guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, the siberian chipmunk, rats, mice, the sugar glider, degus, prairie dogs and hedgehogs. 

(Work in progress!)