Family+Murinae+Block+3

**__Murinae__**

Maroonlink5 __Backround:__ Sub-Family of Murinae (Old World Rodents) is the largest family of mammals. It contains over 600 species found over a vast majority of land. The species that are part of the family Murinae are found on every continent with the exception of Antartica. House Mouse (//Mus musculus)// and the Norway Rat (//Rattus norvegicus).//

Are of Suborder Myomorpha which includes: -Gerbils -Hamsters -Lemmings -Mice -Rats -All other similar animals -Characterized by jaw and cranial design that allows for efficient gnawing -Few other common traits

Family Muridae Characteristics: -Prominent, rounded ears -Long whiskers -Long, furred tail -//Scurry//

Subfamily Murinae Distinguishing Characteristics: -Are from the Old World (Europe, Asia)

__Norway Rat__: Size: L: 8-10 T: 5-8

Lifestyle: Almost always associated with people in places such as cities, dumps and farms.

Diet: Omnivore

Identification: Brown to grayish-brown in fur coat color. Long narrow snout. Large round ears. Black eyes. Rough and scaley tail.

Tracks:

Lifespan: Lives usually 2 to 4 years.

Other Characteristics: Larger than all species of mice, voles and shrews. They are nocturnal.

Other cool stuff: The largest and most well known plague carriers known to mankind.

__House Mouse__: Size: L: 5-8'' T: 21/2-4"

Lifestyle: Mostly seek somesort of shelter either in a home or abandoned buldings, but are also sometimes found on agricultural lands.

Diet: Omnivore

Identification: Greyish-brown to solid brown in color. High pitched squeaks.

Tracks:

Lifespan: 9 to 12 months

Other Characteristics: Mostly active at Dusk to nightime. Does not enjoy black or strobe lighting.

Other Cool Stuff:Live and thrive under most conditions. One of the most troublesome creatures. The prime source of scientifical expieriments.

Page Created by: Alexander Gaebel and Cole Miller