Are rabbits rodents? - True or false?

For those who have or have ever had to a rabbit as a pet, it is not uncommon that they have ever heard, or even said themselves, that rabbits gnaw at it and destroy everything, since it is their rodent instinct.But, are rabbits rodents ? The answer is a resounding NO, rabbits are not rodents, they are lagomorphic, does that word sound to you?

In this Animals and Pets Online article we explain everything about because rabbits are not rodents and that is a lagomorph, do you stay to discover it?

Types of rodents

When we talk about rodents, we are referring to a group of mammals, those of the order Rodentia , which covers a multitude of species, approximately a total of 2,300 species that are distributed all over the world.The rodent order is considered to be the most varied, since it is the one with the largest number of different species.

Some of the most common and well-known rodents are mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters or squirrels, although there are also others such as porcupines or beavers within this order.As we see, they are very different species, encompassing sizes and really different aspects, however, all of them have in common that are quadrupeds (they go on all fours) and have a denture in which two huge incisors that never stop growing stand out.

Since rabbits also have incisors that do not stop growing, why decim What rabbits are not rodents?

What is a lagomorph?

But, if rabbits are not rodents, what are they? Rabbits are lagomorphs , that is, they belong to another biological order, shared with species such as hares or pikes.For centuries they were considered rodents, and it was not until the twentieth century that the distinction between rodents and lagomorphs.

Lagomorphs have a structure and a anatomy closer to that of artiodactyls (ungulate mammals such as goats or deer), since they also present legs finished in finger and share some physical characteristics, something that does not happen in rodents.

Differences between lagomorphs and rodents

As we have seen, a rodent is not the same as a lagomorph.The main differences between them are those related to their teeth, which in both cases does not stop growing, and are the following:

Rodents have a single pair of incisors at the top, of equal size both, whose enamel only covers the front.
Lagomorphs have two pairs of incisors in the upper part of his mouth, larger centrals and another smaller pair that follows them, being completely covered with enamel.
Lagomorphs have a more extensive and bushy coat , covering all limbs, which does not happen in rodents.
Rodents can be omnivorous, while lagomorphs are strictly herbivorous .
Lagomorphs live in underground burrows, while rodents adapt and can live on the surface, but also underground ea.

Are guinea pigs rodents?

Indeed, although by their appearance, essentially that of some breeds such as the Peruvian guinea pig, they may be more similar to a rabbit, the guinea pigs are rodents .They are considered as rodents because they present only two incisors in his upper jaw, with the characteristic lack of enamel in the entire tooth.

Something that can confuse us is that, unlike other rodents such as rats, mice or hamsters, guinea pigs They are not omnivores , but herbivores; however, they are not the only herbivorous rodents, as coipus, chinchillas and red squirrels are also strictly herbivorous, for example.

Are rabbits mammals?

Yes, the rabbits are mammals because they breed the rabbits in the womb and are fed, later, by the milk that the mother produces through her To know more about its reproduction and gestation process, do not miss these articles:

If you want to read more articles similar to Are rabbits rodents? , we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.

Bibliography

Mammal Species of the World.Lagomorpha.Available at: http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/biology/resources/msw3/browse.asp ? id=13500001
Animal Diversity Web. Rodentia .University of Michigan.Available at: https://animaldiversity.org/site/accounts/information/Rodentia.html

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