How can rodents damage buildings and water-impounding structures?

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black-tailed prairie dog — rodent Black-tailed prairie dog (*Cynomys ludovicianus*).

Rodents can cause significant structural damage to human-made environments due to their biological behaviors. Specifically, they damage buildings and other objects through their constant need for gnawing, which can compromise materials. Furthermore, their burrowing activities can lead to leaks and structural instability in water-impounding structures.1