rodent: Quick Facts

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Oct. 10, 2026

Facts

Also Known As	Rodentia

Photos and Videos

black-tailed prairie dog

A grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) sits upright on green grass, holding its front paws near its chest with its bushy tail curled behind.

Eurasian red squirrel

A muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) with brown fur sits in shallow water near a grassy riverbank, holding food in its front paws as the sun sets.

Reviving the Eurasian beaver population

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Topics

rat Anomaluromorpha Sciuravida Sciuromorpha Hystricognatha Myomorpha porcupine Cuniculidae Josephoartigasia monesi Muroidea primate artiodactyl perissodactyl cetacean bat carnivore insectivore sirenian lagomorph pangolin

Key People

default image

Charles Elton

English biologist

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Animals, mammals.

Ultimate Animals Quiz

Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is seen in Switzerland on December 2024

Animal Factoids

Young chimpanzee dressed in a shirt and sweater vest, scratching his head thinking. (primates)

Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom Vocabulary Quiz

Lion (panthera leo)

Deadliest Animals Quiz

Nine-Banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus).

A Is for Animal Quiz

Giraffe standing in grass, Kenya.

Know Your Mammals Quiz