Rodentia+Block+3

Alyssa Stang BBB Cassy Spoden Inga Rodness Rodents make up the largest group of mammals which is 43 percent of all mammal species. The word Rodentia comes from the Latin verb //rodere// meaning to gnaw.
 * //__INTRODUCTION TO RODENTIA__//** -

//**__DEFINITION OF RODENTIA__**// - An order of mammals having two (rarely four) large incisor teeth in each jaw, distant from the molar teeth. The rats, squirrels, rabbits, marmots, and beavers belong to this order.

Single largest group of mammals. 1,500 of the 4,000 mammal species are in the group Rodentia.
 * //__RODENTIA WORLDWIDE__//** -

There is a broad range of physical characteristics that apply to mammals in the Rodentia order, but the one that sets them apart is their teeth. They have a pair of upper incisors with a thick enamal that grows continually throughout their life. There is a thick gap between the incisors and the molars. There is rarely more then twenty-two teeth. Many rodents are social and live in large groups, although some are solitary like the procupine, pocket gopher, and pocket mice. Some are active throughout the year, but some hibernate for several months. Most rodents dig and live in their own burrow system.
 * //__CHARACTERISTICS OF RODENTIA__//** -


 * //__RODENTIA FOUND IN MINNESOTA__//** -
 * Family Castoridae (Beaver)
 * Family Dipodidae (Jumping Mice)
 * Family Erethizontidae (Porcupine)
 * Family Geomyidae (Pocket Gopher)
 * Family Heteromyidae (Pocket Mice)
 * Family Muridae (Mouse)
 * Family Sciuridae (Squirrel Family)

//Herbivorous-// seeds, stems, roots, and flowers. //Carnivorous-// small fish, frogs, and mollusks //Omnivorous-// most rodents are omnivorous and eat all of the above.
 * //__DIET OF RODENTIA__//** -

Smallest - White-Footed Mouse -- L 3-4 1/4"; T 2-3 1/2" - Weight: 3-8-1 1/4 oz. Largest - American Beaver -- L 3-4'; T 7-14" - Weight: 20-60 lb.
 * //__AVERAGE SIZE AND WEIGHT OF RODENTIA__//** -

AA *North American Porcupine* AAAA *Northern Flying Squirrel* AAA *Northern Pocket Gopher* AAAAAAA *Least Chipmunk* AAAAAAA *House Mouse*
 * //__5 EXAMPLES OF RODENTIA IN MINNESOTA__//** -


 * //__FUN FACTS OF RODENTIA__//** -
 * Many people dislike rodents because they think they are a nuisance
 * The larges rodent is the Capybara
 * The most distinctive feature of rodents is their front teeth
 * Rodents can be found everywhere in the world besides Antartica
 * Rodentia is the most numerous branch on the mammal family tree
 * Rats started the Black Plague
 * The word Rodentia comes from the latin verb "to gnaw"
 * They only need basic commodies to live
 * Rats are excellent swimmers and can swim around 800 meters
 * Rats can also tread water for three days
 * Rodentia multiply rapidly

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 * //__SOURCES:__//**