What are rodents?

Like all mammals, rodents are furry, warm blooded animals, that nurse their young. Most rodents are fairly small but the largest can reach over 100 pounds. The most distinctive feature of rodents is their front teeth. All rodents have a pair of constantly growing teeth at the front of their mouths called incisors. They use these teeth to gnaw on things. Scientificly, rodents are members of the Order of Rodentia.  more

Rodents are an order of small placental mammals characterized by their skulls, continuously growing teeth, and sharp incisors which they use to gnaw wood, break open hard nuts, and bite predators. Their name means "gnawing teeth" in Latin. Some rodents include chipmunks, hamsters, gerbils, gophers, porcupines, mice, rats, squirrels, beavers, and guinea pigs. They are found on all continents except Antarctica in great numbers, and make up 40 percent of mammal biodiversity, with about 2,277 species. Rodents range in size from the tiny African Pygmy Mouse, which is between 3 and 8 cm (1.2 - 3.1 in) long with a 2 to 4 cm (0.8 - 1.6 in) tail, and weigh from 3 to 12 grams, to the capybara, the largest living rodent, which may grow to 130 centimetres (4.3 ft), and weigh up to 65 kg (140 lb). Several million years ago, there were much larger rodents, including Phoberomys pattersoni, which was 3 m (9.8 ft) long, with a 1.5 m (5 ft.) tail, and probably weighed around 700 kg (1,450 lb), about ...  more

Rats and mice are the common rodents found in the Kitsap County area. Figure 1. Norway Rat: Ratus Norvigicus Why are Rodents a Problem? Rodents such as rats and mice carry diseases, fleas, lice, mites, and internal parasites. Some of the more common and well known diseases carried by rodents and their population of fleas, lice, and mites are bubonic plague, typhus, tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Hantavirus. The Norway Rat above (Figure 1) is the most common rat seen in Kitsap County. The Roof Rat below (Figure 2) is common to the southeast United States. How do I keep rodents away from my home? The only way to keep rodents out of your house or yard is to take away their food, water, and shelter! Figure 2. Roof Rat: Ratus Ratus What foods bring rodents into my yard and house? Garbage, left uncovered or not in garbage cans. Food for pets or birds that has not been eaten, such as pet food left outside or birdseed on the ground. Fruits and berries that have fallen on the ...  more