Main Characteristics of Rodents

• There are about 2,280 species of rodents. They make up almost half of all mammal species.
• Rodents include beavers, rats, mice, squirrels, dormice, hamsters, chinchillas and guinea pigs.
• Most rodents are herbivores, some are omnivores.
• The capybara is the largest rodent. It has a body length of 3.6-4.2 feet (100-130 cm) and weighs 110-132 pounds (50-60 kg).
• The smallest rodents include the African pygmy mouse and the Eurasian harvest mice. They weigh less than 0.17 ounces (5 grams).

Rodent Family Tree

Species List