Scientists classify animals into six groups: mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects, and fish.
In the animal kingdom, the class of mammals holds a vast number of orders and suborders. Animals are classified according to their traits and habits in order to make it easier on people (scientists) to observe, study and learn about them. The order of rodents and lagomorphs are often blurred. Below are the differences.
The Order Rodentia
Rodentia is Latin for “to gnaw”, as a rodent’s front incisors grow continuously throughout its life. The order of rodentia has 29 families, 426 genera, and 1,814 species; it’s the largest and most diverse group in the mammal class by a mile.
Most people are familiar with the pet rodents such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, and chinchillas. Wild rodents include squirrels, beavers, lemmings, capybaras, groundhogs, muskrats, porcupines, prairie dogs, voles, and many more.
Rodents are an incredibly diverse order. They can be found in the rainforest canopy, on land, and some live underground their whole lives. Some are predominately aquatic and some have adapted to the hot desert. They are the most beloved and equally the most detested animals in the world.
Anatomical Features Rodents All Share
- 1 pair of incisors in both upper and lower jaws.
- The incisors continue to grow throughout the rodent’s life.
- Heavy enamel on the front of the incisors and little on the back. This is how the rodent’s teeth keep a chiseled profile for gnawing.
- The bones of the lower arm are distinct in that the elbow joint permits free motion of the forearm.
- The hand usually has 5 fingers, however, the thumb may be almost nonexistent or absent.
- Rodents have 3-5 toes.
- They are predominately herbivores and omnivores.
- The male’s penis contains a bone.
- The male’s testicles are behind the penis.
The Order Lagomorpha
The name comes from the Latin words, “lagos”, meaning hare and “morphe” meaning form. It has only two families in it: leporidae (rabbits and hares) and ochotonidae (pikas). Lagomorpha members resemble rodents, however, in the early twentieth century; it was felt that the differences were significant enough to give them their own order.
Below are their classification traits:
- 4 front incisors in their upper jaw.
- Lagomorphs are almost wholly herbivores.
- The male’s penis contains no bone.
- The male’s testicles are in front of the penis.
The Order lagomorpha contains rabbits, hares (jack rabbits), and pikas. While there are classification differences for these three mammals, the one thing they have in common with the rodents is that their teeth continue to grow all of their lives. This makes it necessary for both rodents and lagomorphs to chew constantly to keep the teeth worn down.
Chris McLaughlin - Chris McLaughlin's gardening books include "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables." Check out her complete profile.
