RODENTS RODENTS

(Rodentia), order of mammals. Known since the beginning of the Paleocene. Arose in Cretaceous, possibly from common ancestors with insectivorous. Length body from 5 cm (mouse) to 130 cm (capybara), weight from 6 to 60 kg. Forelimbs 5- or 4-toed, hind limbs 3-, 4-, 5-toed. The cerebral hemispheres are usually smooth, thermoregulation is imperfect. 2 pairs cf. incisors are greatly enlarged, constantly growing and self-sharpening when abraded. There are no fangs. There is a large diastema between the incisors and molars. The squad system has not been finalized. Previously, the lagomorphs, now isolated in special detachment. More than 40 families, including St. 30 contemporary, ca. 1600 species (according to other sources, c. 2000). Widespread throughout; in the USSR - 14-15 fam., Tue. h. 11 modern: flying, squirrel, beaver (unity, genus - beaver), hamster, mole rat, mouse, dormouse, jerboa, etc., total approx. 150 species, which is more than half of the species of mammals in the fauna of the USSR. Naib, diverse and numerous in open landscapes of temperate and subtropical. belts, especially in arid zones. Many lead a semi-underground lifestyle, eating on the surface. The burrowing activity of soils significantly influences soil formation by increasing the productivity of vegetation. Prem. herbivores, some omnivores, insectivores and fish-eating animals. The life expectancy of small G. 1.5-2 years, large (marmots, beavers) - 4-7 years. Puberty in small G. occurs in 2-3 months, in large - in the 2nd year of life. The number of small G. (mice, voles), which give birth up to 6-8 times a year, 8-15 cubs, can increase 100 times or more in the worst years, which causes damage to the village. x-woo. Mn. G. (for example, marmots, ground squirrels) - carriers of pathogens of a number of diseases dangerous to humans. Squirrel, muskrat and nug-riya are valuable objects of the fur trade. Mn. mouse-like G. - the source of food for commercial fur-bearing animals. 2 species and 5 subspecies in the IUCN and USSR Red Data Books.

Rodents. Sem. squirrel: 1 - common squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris); 2 - fine-toed ground squirrel (Spermophilopsis leptodactylus); 3 - chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus); 4 - spotted ground squirrel (Citellus suslicus); 5 - mexican prairie dog(Cynomys mexicanus); 6 - Menzbier's marmot (Marmota menzbieri). Sem. flying: 7 - flying squirrel (Pteromys volans). Sem. gopher: S - flat gopher (Geomys bursarius). Sem. beaver: 9 - beaver (.Castor fiber). Sem. long-legged: 10 - strider (Pedetes cafer). Sem. hamsters: 11 - common hamster (Cricetus cricetus); 12 - Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus); 13 - common zokor (Myos-palax myospalax); 14 - common vole (Microtus arvalis); 15 - ungulate lemming (Dicrostonyx torquatus); 16 - Siberian lemming (Lemrnus sibiricus); 17 - water vole (Arvicola terrestris); 18 - common mole vole (Ellobius talpinus); 19 - large gerbil (Rhombomys opimus). Sem. mole rats: 20 - mole rat(Spalax microphthalmus). Sem. mouse: 21 - baby mouse (Micromys minutus); 22 - pasyuk (Rattus norvegicus). Sem. dormouse: 23 - garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus). Sem. selevinium: 24 - Selevinia (Selevinia bet-pakdalensis). Sem. mouse: 25 - forest mouse (Sicista betulina). Sem. jerboas: 26 - fat-tailed jerboa (Pygerethmus platyurus); 27- big jerboa(Allactaga major). Sem. porcupines: 28 - Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica). Sem. Amer. porcupines: 29 - tenacious porcupine (Coendou prehensillis). Sem. mumps: 30 - guinea pig (Cavia porcellus); 31 - Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagona). Sem. capybara: 32 - capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Sem. chinchilla: 33 - chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger); 34 - viscacha (Lagostomus maximus). Sem. nutria: 35 - nutria (Myocastor coypus).

.(Source: "Biological Encyclopedic Dictionary." Chief editor M. S. Gilyarov; Editorial board: A. A. Babaev, G. G. Vinberg, G. A. Zavarzin and others - 2nd ed., corrected . - M .: Sov. Encyclopedia, 1986.)

rodents

One of the largest orders of mammals. Includes 33-40 families, 380-400 genera, ca. 2500 species (about half total mammal species). Length body from 5 cm (mouse) to 130 cm ( capybara, the largest members of the order).
The name of the detachment is associated with a feature characteristic of all rodents - the strong development of the front teeth - incisors, which are used for feeding, burrowing, defense and attack. These teeth are constantly growing and have a special structure, thanks to which they are sharpened all their lives. Representatives of the detachment are diverse in body structure, size of limbs, auricles, tail, as well as in lifestyle, nutrition, social organization and reproduction. The hairline is well developed, in some species the hair is turned into needles.
Rodents include: beavers, chipmunks, mice, rats, lemmings, flying squirrels, Guinea pigs, nutrias, muskrats, voles, marmots, ground squirrels, jerboas, porcupines, naked mole rat, chinchilla and others. They inhabit all continents, except for Antarctica, inhabit all habitats. Usually very prolific. They play a huge role in the life of nature and man. They are the most important food base for many predators. Among rodents there are fur and hunting species, pests Agriculture and carriers most dangerous diseases, domestic and laboratory animals. OK. 50 species of rodents are listed in the Red Books of the IUCN and Russia.

.(Source: "Biology. Modern Illustrated Encyclopedia." Editor-in-Chief A.P. Gorkin; M.: Rosmen, 2006.)


See what "RODENTS" are in other dictionaries:

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    The most numerous detachment of mammals is about 1.6 thousand species (over 1/3 of all mammals). 33 families: flying squirrels, porcupines, dormouse, jerboas, mole rats, mice, etc. Teeth are adapted to eating hard vegetable feed. Cutters... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

    RODENTS

    rodents- Rodents. Rodents: 1 - chipmunk; 2 - forest dormouse; 3 - thin-toed ground squirrel; 4 - protein; 5 - red rat (pasyuk); 6 - black rat; 7 - common hamster; 8 - house mouse; 9 - small jerboa; 10 —… … Veterinary Encyclopedic Dictionary

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    The most numerous order of mammals approx. 1.6 thousand species (over 1/3 of all mammals). 33 families: flying squirrels, porcupines, dormouse, jerboas, mole rats, mice, etc. Teeth are adapted to feeding on solid plant foods. The cuts are strong... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

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In the article I will consider different kinds and which rodent to choose as a pet, their maintenance and breeding. I will tell you about the features of caring for each type of animal from the list.

The most popular types of rodents for home keeping

Hamsters

The cost of the animal is from 200 rubles and more.

This is a cute nocturnal animal. It is quite difficult to tame him, but it is possible. For its maintenance, you will need from strong rods with a house, a pair of ladders or tunnels and feeders.

The cost of the animal is from 300 to 500 rubles.

Or the Chilean squirrel weighs an average of 300-500 g and reaches a length of 30 cm. The rodent itself is inexpensive, but its maintenance requires money and time. First of all, he needs a home. Since this is a protein, then the corresponding cell is needed. The cost of a cage for squirrels is 3000-3500 rubles.

Degu is a pack animal, so it does not get along well with other animals. Alone, the Chilean squirrel lives much less. They are comfortable to keep in pairs.

The degu's coat is dense and coarse, so it should be brushed regularly. The animal will cope with this on its own, but it needs a sand bath installed in the cage.

Grabbing or lifting a degu by the tail is strictly prohibited. If you pinch his tail, the skin will peel off and the animal will run away. The exposed section of the tail bleeds and dies.

Degus are very sensitive to heat and high humidity, cold and noise. Optimum temperature for him 24-26 degrees. Pungent odors also adversely affect the condition of the animal.


Also, a cage with an animal cannot be placed next to such indoor plants how:

  • Sanseviera;
  • Room feces (Spathiphyllum);
  • Feronia;
  • threader;
  • Flamingo flower.

The main quality of degus is their sociability. Walking is one way to bond with your baby.

Degas should be released into the apartment under exceptional supervision. He will chew on anything that gets in his way.

In this article, we examined several types of rodents and their breeds. They also learned how to care for each of the species. Noticed some features of the breeds.

RODENTS (Rodentia), detachment of the class of mammals. Fossils are known from the Paleocene. small and medium size animals; body length from 5 (mouse) to 130 (capybara) cm; weight from 6 g to 50 kg. Externally, rodents are very diverse; among them there are various life forms: underground (diggers, gophers, zokors, mole rats), arboreal (squirrels, flying squirrels), aquatic (beavers, nutrias, muskrats), adapted to fast running (jerboas, maras, agoutis). The hairline of rodents is represented by soft uniform fur (mole rats, zokors), fur well divided into guard hairs and underfur (beavers, nutria), quills (porcupines) or absent altogether ( naked diggers). The forelimbs are 5-4-toed, the hind limbs are 5-3-toed. Common to the detachment is the structure of the dental system. All rodents have strongly developed incisors (1 pair in each jaw), which do not have roots and grow throughout the life of the animal; their cutting edge self-sharpenes when abraded (due to the different hardness of enamel and dentin). In some rodents (gray voles), constant growth is also characteristic of molars. Canines are absent, resulting in a large gap (diastema) between the incisors and cheek teeth - premolars or molars. The brain is relatively large, the surface of the hemispheres is smooth.

Rodents are the largest (about 355 genera, more than 1600 species) and diverse order of mammals. It contains 30-35 modern families, 3 of which are the most numerous and include up to 2/3 modern species: squirrels (about 40 genera and 230 species), hamsters (6-8 subfamilies, up to 100 genera, about 500 species) and mice (up to 17 subfamilies, about 120 genera, more than 400 species). A number of families consist of a single genus of the same name with 1-2 species (beaver, long-legged, capybara, pacarnidae).

Rodents are distributed everywhere, except for Antarctica; inhabit all natural zones - from the tundra to the desert, from lowland swamps to highlands. The sharp incisors of rodents are used not only for chewing solid food, but also for digging. Most rodents are active around the clock; there are species that are active only at night or only during daylight hours. A number of species fall into hibernation of varying duration, accompanied by a decrease in the level of metabolism and body temperature (marmots, ground squirrels, dormice, etc.). Rodent shelters are very diverse: deep, complex burrows (viscaches, diggers, tukotukovy), nests above ground, ground or in soil voids (black rat, house mice, mice), huts with an underwater entrance from branches (beavers) or grass (muskrat) , hanging nests made of grass (baby mouse) or on trees (squirrels). Rodents feed on plant foods (seeds, fruits, succulent green parts of plants, bark and wood), many include small vertebrates and invertebrates in the diet, some are exclusively insectivorous (grasshopper hamsters), fish-eating (fish-eating hamsters) or predatory (a number of species of large rats) . They can lead a solitary or colonial lifestyle, including those with a division of functions, like social insects (naked mole rats).

In all natural areas rodents predominate in numbers among mammals. As a rule, rodents are characterized by high fertility: several litters per year (usually 2-4), up to 8-15 cubs in each. Many tend to be early puberty(on the 2-3rd month of life). The number of small rodents (mice, voles) can in some years increase by 100 or more times, often giving way to years of their almost complete extinction over large areas.

The ecological role of rodents is everywhere great. For example, in the tundra, changes in the number of lemmings largely determine the dynamics of the entire ecosystem; in deserts, the burrowing activity of rodents supports the existence of many animals, promotes soil mixing, determines the regime of moisture and species composition vegetation; creating dams and swamping vast areas, beavers form a specific landscape.

Some rodents (including chinchilla, beaver, coypu, muskrat) are valuable objects of the fur trade. Many rodents ( forest voles, lemmings, gray voles, etc.) serve as the main food for valuable fur-bearing predators (arctic fox, sable, marten, etc.). Among rodents, there are species that cause great damage to crop production, agriculture and forestry, as well as food supplies (rats, mice, ground squirrels, hamsters). Many species of rodents are distributors infectious diseases human (including plague, tularemia, rickettsiosis, leptospirosis, leishmaniasis, tick-borne encephalitis, hemorrhagic fevers, etc.). Gray and black rats and house mice have spread all over the world together with humans, forming populations that are entirely dependent on human activity. Some rodents can cause significant damage to various technical devices and structures.

Among rodents, there are species with a small range, adapted to unique regional ecosystems (viscacha, Patagonian mara, pacarna). Many rodent species have become rare or have a steady decline in numbers. About 700 species of rodents are listed in the IUCN Red Book, 7 species - in the Red Book Russian Federation. There are examples of successful population recovery (beavers).

Lit .: Sokolov V. E. Systematics of mammals. M., 1977. Part 2: Detachments: lagomorphs, rodents; Gromov I. M., Erbaeva M. A. Lagomorphs and rodents. SPb., 1995.

Rodents are the most numerous and widespread group of mammals. It includes about 1600 species, which is more than 40% of the total volume of the world's mammalian fauna. The origin of rodents is associated with primitive insectivores..

Rodents are distributed throughout the globe (except for Antarctica and some oceanic islands). They are found in various zones, altitudinal zones and landscapes. In many places, rodents settled after humans.

Most rodents are animals of small and medium size, feeding mainly or exclusively on plant foods. Large forms are few among them. Peculiar to them dental apparatus: no fangs, incisors one in each half of the jaw, very strongly developed; with them, animals bite grass, bark or exfoliate seeds. Indigenous have a flat chewing surface with bumps or loops of enamel and many have no roots. Incisors and molars grow throughout life.

Rodents have long intestine and developed caecum playing the role of fermentation tank". It is especially strongly developed in species that feed on grass and tree bark (for example, in voles). On the contrary, at mice, feeding mainly on seeds, the caecum is less developed.

Most species are characterized by the ability to multiply rapidly, which is associated with early puberty and a large number of cubs born.

Rodents are of great practical importance. Many species are important objects of the fur trade. Among rodents there are many pests of agriculture and species that spread dangerous diseases, for example, the plague.

The breadth of distribution and the diversity of living conditions have determined a large systematic and ecological diversity rodents. Among them are terrestrial, underground, arboreal and semi-aquatic species.

About 35 families are distinguished in the order.

Extensive family squirrel (Sciuridae) includes protein, chipmunks, gophers And marmots.

Squirrels- woody representatives of the family, common in the forests of Eurasia and North America, more than 150 species in total. IN forest areas Russia inhabits common squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). It was artificially acclimatized in the Crimea, the Caucasus and the Tien Shan.

Squirrels- moving animals. They live in hollows in trees or make nests on branches (“ gayno"). They breed more than twice a year and give birth to up to 10 cubs. They do not hibernate for the winter, but the color of their skin changes - the red squirrel turns gray. Over a vast range, the color of the summer skin of an ordinary squirrel varies from red (in the west) to black (in the east).

They feed mainly on the seeds of coniferous trees, less often on berries and mushrooms. Due to the variability of the yield of coniferous seeds, the number of squirrels varies greatly over the years. In low-feed years, squirrels roam widely in search of food and often run into the vicinity of villages, parks and gardens. Squirrel- an important species in the Russian fur trade.

Close to proteins chipmunks (Tamias), inhabitants of coniferous, mixed and partly broad-leaved forests of the Old and New Worlds. Most of the species are distributed in North America. The way of life is mainly terrestrial, they climb trees well, and take refuge in burrows. They hibernate for the winter. Lives in Russia asian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus), it inhabits the forests of Siberia and the North-Eastern part of Europe. It differs from the squirrel in its smaller size, striped coloration and less fluffy tail.

The terrestrial group of the family is represented by numerous species gophers And marmots. They are common in the steppe and mountain regions. All species live in burrows, usually in colonies. Unlike squirrels, they reproduce once a year. They feed on grass and seeds, mainly cereals. Most species are harmful to crops and are being controlled. In addition, ground squirrels and marmots are carriers of dangerous diseases, such as plague and tularemia. They hibernate for the winter. In most species, it begins in the second half of summer. Associated with the drying of fodder vegetation. A particularly long hibernation, about 8 months, is observed in yellow ground squirrel (Citellus fulvus), inhabiting the Trans-Volga and Kazakhstan steppes and semi-deserts Central Asia. This ground squirrel usually lives far from crops and is not a serious agricultural pest. Its fur is valued higher than other species.

In the steppes of the European part of Russia, in the Caucasus, in Kazakhstan, it is common small gopher (C. pigmaeus); in the European part of our country (east to the Volga) is also common spotted ground squirrel (C. suslicus).

Similar in lifestyle to gophers prairie dogs (Gynomys), living in the desert-steppe landscapes of the plains and foothills of North and Central America. They live in burrows in large communities of several thousand individuals, where a complex group structure of relations develops. Like gophers and marmots, often rise on their hind legs and scream when threatened.

In the steppes of South-Eastern Europe, Kazakhstan, Western Siberia and in the mountains of Central Asia and Siberia, marmots. Systematically and biologically, they are close to ground squirrels, but differ in much larger sizes. typical view bobak (Marmota bobac).

Representatives of another family are close to squirrels - flying (Pteromyidae). They are distributed in the northeast of Europe, throughout Asia, in North and Central America and inhabit tall forests in the temperate and tropical zones.

We have one species in the forests of Europe and Siberia - flying squirrel (Pteromys volans). The flying squirrel is active at dusk and at night. Spends the day in a hollow. With the help of a flying membrane located between the front and hind legs, the flying squirrel makes gliding jumps from tree to tree up to 50 m long.

Outwardly similar to protein and species of the family dormouse (Gliridae). These small arboreal animals are distributed mainly in the broad-leaved forests of Europe, Central and South Asia. Unlike squirrels, they hibernate for the winter and fall asleep easily with a steady drop in temperature. Most large view- dormouse - regiment ( Glis glis), a small animal (body length 15 - 20 cm, weight - 150 - 180 g) with a fluffy tail, often lives in gardens and causes harm by eating fruits. known forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula), hazel (Muscardinus avellanarius), garden (Eliomys quercinus).

Family beaver (Castoridae) contains only two species, one of which ( castor canadensis) is common in North America, another ( C. fibers) in Europe and Asia. These are large (up to 30 kg) rodents with a massive body and flattened tail. The toes of the hind legs are connected by a swimming membrane. Beaver fur with thick undercoat and coarse awn is beautiful and waterproof. The beaver lubricates him with a secret anal glands.

They live in colonies along forest streams. The dwelling is made of branches and pieces of tree trunks. huts And burrows. Settling on the river, beavers are building on it dams, raising the water level and making it relatively constant. In the summer they eat herbaceous plants. In winter - bark and branches of trees. For the winter, stocks of branch food are made, which are placed in the water near the dwelling. They breed once a year, bringing 2 - 4 cubs. They become sexually mature in the third year of life.

In past Euro-Asian beaver was numerous and met in many parts of Europe and Siberia, spreading to the forest-tundra in the north and semi-deserts in the south. On the territory of Russia in the XIX century. it was almost universally exterminated. At present, thanks to the protection and artificial resettlement undertaken in the middle of the 20th century. the number of beavers in Russia has increased markedly, and they are found in many areas. The area has been restored and canadian beaver.

Family jerboas (Dipodidae) unites peculiar desert and steppe rodents, possessing (in most cases) very long hind legs and short front legs. The tail is long, often with a brush at the end.. They move very quickly by jumping only on their hind legs, which is very important when living in the desert with its sparse vegetation and meager food supply. Some species harm plantings of melons and industrial crops. They hibernate for the winter. The largest of all species of the family big jerboa, or earth hare (Allactaga major) (body length 19 - 26 cm, tail - 30 cm).

In total, 26 species of jerboas are known. Their distribution covers the desert regions of North Africa, Southeast Europe, Asia Minor and Western Asia, Transcaucasia, Central Asia to Northeast China and Mongolia.

Animals from the family porcupines (Hystricidae) (13 species) are distributed almost throughout Africa, in the Mediterranean, in Western, Minor and South Asia. Near the southern borders of Russia, in the Eastern Transcaucasia and in the foothill regions of Central Asia, one species is widespread - Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica), the largest of the Eurasian rodent species. The back, sides and tail are covered with needles, the lower surface of the body is covered with hair.

Lives in burrows, often in gardens. In some places harms melons. Nocturnal lifestyle. A disturbed porcupine bristles and rustles loudly tail rattle. Running away, it can suddenly stop and stick needles into the attacker. It is wrong to say that a porcupine can throw its quills arbitrarily far.

Mention should be made of the family capybara (Hyarochoeridae). capybara, or capybara (Hadrochoerus hydrochaeris), the largest species of rodents: a body length of about 1.5 m and a weight of 50 - 60 kg. It is common in South and Central America, where it lives in low-lying tall grass areas along river banks.

To the family c wine (Caviidae) belong to animals known as domestic "guinea" pigs. Type of pig Cavia porcellus porcellus well known as an inhabitant of living corners of schools, kindergartens and as a laboratory animal. In nature, they live in small groups among grass and shrubs, build burrows.

To the family Khutian (Capromyidae) belongs to the well-known in Russia nutria (Myocastor coypus). Her homeland is South America. However, in the XX century. nutria was introduced to Europe and North America. Lives in Transcaucasia and is successfully bred in Russian fur farms.

Very peculiar, specialized rodents leading an underground lifestyle are united by the family mole rats (Spalacidae). They have a valky body, without a pronounced neck, a flattened head, short paws, eyes hidden under the skin, no auricles, fur low, velvety. Mole rats dig the earth with their chisels, and throw it out with their heads. The lateral folds of the lips behind the incisors close and tightly close the mouth. They feed on the underground parts of plants and, in search of food, construct a very complex move system. Distributed in the steppes of the European part of Russia and the Caucasus. In some places they harm agriculture.

Deep specialization to the underground digging way of life was revealed in naked diggers (Heterocephalus glaber) from the family excavators (Bathyergidae), living in shrouds and semi-deserts of Central Africa (Somalia), digger It has a short(up to 9 cm), hairless body. Under the ground with incisors and head digs underground tunnels up to 40 m long. Animals keep in clusters up to 30 and even 100 individuals and have a complex family-group hierarchy.

Family mouse (Muridae) - the most numerous group of rodents, distributed almost throughout the globe. Most species are small animals that live in burrows. The food is mainly vegetable, some species sometimes eat small animals, such as insects. Very high fecundity and early puberty are characteristic. Under favorable conditions, some species are able to breed all year round. Among mice there are species that significantly damage crops and food stocks. Some are of great epidemiological significance. The largest number of species rats(sort of Rattus) are common in tropical Africa and South Asia. Widely known and widespread gray rat, or pasyuk (R. norvegicus), settled after man throughout the globe, except for Antarctica and some oceanic islands. They live more often in buildings, but sometimes far from housing. The harm caused by rats is well known.

ubiquitous mice: in human settlements - house mouse (Mus muscle), in the corresponding names of natural areas harvest mouse (Apodemus agrarian) And wood mouse (A. sylvaticus). They differ from mice in a short tail and the structure of molars - voles: gray (genus Microtus), red (genus Clethrionomys). They are ubiquitous. Peculiar animals live in the tundra of the Arctic lemmings(genus Lemmus), some of them turn white in winter.

Voles also include muskrat (Ondatra zibethica) – large rodent with valuable fur. The homeland of the muskrat is North America. During the XX century. The muskrat was acclimatized in Western Europe and in Russia and settled in water bodies almost everywhere. This is a semi-aquatic animal living in reservoirs overgrown with vegetation. The muskrat occupies the grass and earth huts or does burrows. It feeds on aquatic vegetation. Like all species of mice, the muskrat quickly reaches puberty and actively breeds, bringing 2-4 times a year, 4-12 cubs. After acclimatization The muskrat has become one of the most important fur-bearing animals in Russia.

TO voles numerous hamsters. They are one family with them. hamsters (Cricetidae). Well known, kept in captivity gray hamster (Cricetulus migratorius), Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus).

Big ones live in the desert gerbils (Rhombomys opimus). They are relatively large in size and have a long drooping tail. Settle in colonies, constructing complex underground cities.