Rodentia
Rodentia, also known as rodents, is a group of small, furry mammals that are known for their constant chewing, love for cheese, and being a common test subject in science labs. In layman terms, they are the mouses and rats that people either love to hate or hate to love.
History
The history of rodents goes way back to the era of cavemen who welcomed their pesky guests into their homes in exchange for the assurance that they won’t get eaten by larger animals. In the middle ages, rodents were used as accessories for witches, who would keep them as pets and let them run free in their homes as a way to ward off evil spirits.
Over the years, rodents have been given a bad reputation, primarily because of their chewing habits that often lead to property damage, and their perpetually growing teeth that never seem to stop growing. However, researchers have unearthed many facts that suggest that rodents could be more important than we think.
Classification
Rodents belong to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, and order Rodentia. They are further classified into three categories: mice, rats, and hamsters.
Mice
Mice are the smallest of the rodent family, and they are primarily known for their love for cheese. They are very tiny and almost too cute, but watch out because they can be nibbling on your food while you bask in their cuteness.
Rats
Rats are known to be larger in comparison to mice and always have a reputation of being uninvited guests. Thanks to Chuckie from Rugrats, these furry creatures will always give us a good scare.
Hamsters
Hamsters are the fan-favorite pets of children around the world. They are cute, round, and fluffy and make you want to give them a soft pat on their back.
Interesting Facts
Rodents can easily gnaw through wood, plastic, metal, and even concrete.
Rodents have a keen sense of smell, and they can detect even the tiniest of crumbs.
Rodents have an exceptional ability to reproduce quickly. In a year, a single pair of rodents can produce around 2,000 offspring.
Rodent teeth never stop growing, which means they need to keep chewing on things, or else their teeth would eventually grow longer than their body.
Conclusion
In summary, Rodentia may be seen as pests, but they are animals that deserve a little more credit. They help scientists develop better medicines and innovative technology, serve as a food source for some countries and entertain children worldwide as pets. So be kind to those tiny creatures and find ways on how to help them live harmoniously with humans.