Animal with a rat's tail. Types of rodent pests and signs of their appearance in a summer cottage. Prairie and Chinese dogs

RODENTS (Rodentia), order of the class Mammals. Fossil remains have been known since the Paleocene. Small and average size animals; body length from 5 (mouserfish) 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, zokor, mole rats), arboreal (squirrels, flying squirrels), aquatic (beavers, nutria, muskrats), adapted to fast running (jerboas, maras, agoutis). The hair of rodents is represented by soft, uniform fur (blind rats, zokor), fur, well divided into guard hairs and underfur (beavers, nutria), quills (porcupines) or completely absent ( naked mole rats). The forelimbs are 5-4-toed, the hind limbs are 5-3-toed. What is common to the order is the structure of the dental system. All rodents have highly developed incisors (1 pair in each jaw), which do not have roots and grow throughout the life of the animal; their cutting edge self-sharpens when worn (due to the different hardness of enamel and dentin). In some rodents (voles), constant growth is also characteristic of the molars. There are no fangs, 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 1,600 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 of 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 (beavers, longlegs, capybaras, pacarnaceae).

Rodents are distributed everywhere except Antarctica; inhabit all natural zones - from the tundra to the desert, from lowland swamps to the highlands. The sharp incisors of rodents are used not only for gnawing 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 hibernate for varying durations, accompanied by a decrease in metabolic rate and body temperature (marmots, gophers, dormouse, etc.). The shelters of rodents are very diverse: deep, complex burrows (viscachas, mole rats, tukotuks), above-ground nests, on the ground or in soil voids (black rat, house mice, mouse mice), huts with an underwater entrance made of branches (beavers) or grass (muskrats) , hanging nests made of grass (baby mouse) or in trees (squirrels). Rodents feed on plant foods (seeds, fruits, juicy green parts of plants, bark and wood), many include small vertebrates and invertebrates in their diet, some are exclusively insectivorous (grasshopper hamsters), piscivorous (fish-eating hamsters) or carnivorous (a number of species of large rats) . They can lead a solitary or colonial lifestyle, including division of functions, like social insects (naked mole rats).

In all natural areas, rodents predominate among mammals. As a rule, rodents are highly fertile: several litters per year (usually 2-4), up to 8-15 cubs each. Many people experience early puberty (at 2-3 months of life). The number of small rodents (mice, voles) can increase 100 times or more in some years, often giving way to years of almost complete extinction over large areas.

The ecological role of rodents is great everywhere. For example, in the tundra, changes in lemming numbers 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 moisture regime and species composition vegetation; By creating dams and swamping vast areas, beavers form a specific landscape.

Some rodents (including chinchilla, beaver, nutria, muskrat) are valuable objects of the fur trade. Many rodents (wood 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 crop production, agriculture and forestry, as well as reserves food products(rats, mice, ground squirrels, hamsters). Many species of rodents are distributors infectious diseases humans (including plague, tularemia, rickettsiosis, leptospirosis, leishmaniasis, tick-borne encephalitis, hemorrhagic fevers, etc.). Gray and black rat and house mice have spread throughout the world along 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 species of rodents have become rare or have a steady downward trend in numbers. About 700 species of rodents are listed in the IUCN Red Book, 7 species are in the Red Book Russian Federation. There are examples of successful population restoration (beavers).

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

Do you want to have a pet, but think that having a cat or dog will be a lot of trouble? Pet rodents are an ideal solution to this problem. They don’t need daily walking, they don’t knock flowers off windowsills, they don’t chew shoes, and they don’t damage wallpaper and sofas with their claws. Domestic rodents do not require special care. All you need is cleaning the cage once or twice a week, proper nutrition and equipping the cage with various toys to entertain your pet. Which rodent is best to choose - a funny hamster, a good-natured guinea pig, a smart rat, an energetic chinchilla or a cute mouse? Each animal is good in its own way, so let's figure out which one is best for you.

Many people get pets for their children, trying to instill in their child kindness, a sense of responsibility and compassion. Before getting a pet, you need to consider the age of the child.

Before three years old You should never buy an animal for your child.

At this age, the child is not yet aware of his actions in relation to a living creature, so he can harm the pet, pick up some kind of infection, or put the pet or its food into his mouth.

At the age of 3-4 years, a child is actively exploring the world and can show excessive care for a pet by feeding it prohibited foods, bathing it in water, or showing care in some other way, from which the animal can get sick or even die. To avoid this, adults need to be more attentive and explain to the child what can and cannot be done.

You can get a pet for a child only after the child realizes that the pet is Living being, not a toy that might hurt. All children develop differently, but from about the age of five you can already think about purchasing a pet rodent.

So who should you choose?

Hamster

Hamsters are very popular pet rodents. But it is worth keeping in mind that this small and cute animal is a nocturnal animal and, moreover, quite aggressive. During the day, the hamster will sleep soundly and will not want to play with you. And if you decide to add a relative to it, then violent showdowns, up to the death of one of the animals, will be ensured.

The hamster will need a durable one made of wire, equipped with a house, a wheel, and tunnels of your choice. If you want to let your pet run around the apartment, then use a walking ball, otherwise the hamster may climb into a hard-to-reach place, chew wiring or other things.

In food this domestic rodent not very whimsical. The main thing is to adhere to some rules. You can find out what to feed your hamster.

The hamster eats little, takes up little space, and requires minimal attention. This pet rodent will do great alone in its cage. The main thing is not to forget to feed him and change his water on time. The only drawback of these animals is their short life expectancy, on average 2-3 years.

The most common representatives of hamsters are the dzhungarik and the Syrian hamster; read about how these species differ.

Guinea pig

Guinea pigs are very good-natured and calm pets. They are easy to train and can respond to a nickname. You can keep either one individual or several animals.

Caring for them is very simple - you need to clean the cage a couple of times a week, comb the fur of representatives of long-haired breeds several times a week, trim their claws and teeth if necessary. With good care, these animals can live up to 10 years.

Guinea pigs are vegetarians and animal products are contraindicated for them. But the presence of hay in the pet’s cage is mandatory. Read what else you can feed these domestic rodents.

Guinea pigs will need a larger cage than hamsters because... these pets are much larger in size. Pigs can be freely let out to walk around the apartment without fear that they will get lost. These pets need more attention than hamsters. Pigs rarely bite and get along well in a cage with another representative of their species.

The main differences between a hamster and guinea pig we described in .

Rat

IN Lately The rat has become a popular domestic rodent. Many people are disgusted by this animal because of the habitat of their wild relatives and also prejudice to them. But pet rats are safe for humans.

They are very sociable, easily tamed, understand their name, can learn some commands, and practically do not bite. At home care these animals can live 2-3 years. They do not require special nutrition - they are omnivores. And you will have to clean the cage more often to get rid of unpleasant odor. These pets can be kept in pairs. You can read more about keeping rats in. Rats need to show physical activity, so they need to be allowed to walk outside the cage. But they require much more attention than other domestic rodents.

What is the difference between a hamster and pet rat in details .

Mouse

But you can’t often find a mouse as a pet. Although they are well worth attention. After all, representatives of this class of rodents are unpretentious in keeping, quickly adapt and practically do not bite. In addition, these animals are very funny and playful.

These tiny animals lead predominantly night look life. With good care they can live for about two years. Mice are herd animals, so if you only have one individual, then take care of entertainment for your pet - balls, cubes or other toys.

Mice are omnivores, but you should not overfeed them with sweets, fatty and spicy foods - this can lead to diseases.

These rodents have one drawback - a specific smell that does not disappear even with very good care. In addition, they reproduce very quickly.

Gerbils are tiny, unpretentious, easily tamed domestic rodents with a long, bushy tail. At home, they are usually kept in pairs, as they are social animals that love communication. Gerbils need a spacious cage or aquarium, as they are a very active animal, or put a running wheel in the cage.

You need to pour a thick layer of bedding into the cage so that the animal has the opportunity to dig into it. These rodents need sand baths, so place a container with special sand in the cage, which needs to be changed periodically.

The lifespan of gerbils is 3-4 years. The food is the same as .

Chinchilla

Chinchillas are very active and beautiful rodents with long mustaches, a fluffy tail and a thick fur coat. These animals are very clean and tidy - they practically do not smell. Their activity peaks at night, as they are nocturnal animals. Chinchillas need a spacious cage with various shelves, climbing devices and toys.

You need to place a container with sand in the cage; the animal loves to take sand baths. Chinchillas' fur is very dense and does not harbor fleas and ticks. This animal does not shed, so people with allergies can get such a pet. Chinchillas do not bite or scratch, although they have sharp teeth.

These rodents eat little; when kept at home, they are fed once a day with dried foods - dried apples, carrots, hay, dandelion roots, as well as granules as the main food.

One of the advantages of chinchillas over other domestic rodents is their life expectancy. At proper care these animals can live on average 15-20 years.

Degu

Degus are rare domestic rodents, very active, cute, easily tamed animals. This rodent, like a chinchilla, needs a spacious cage with a house, a drinking bowl, a wheel and other toys for active games. A degu should always have specialized food in its feeder consisting of herbs, cereals and vegetables, as well as hay and branches for grinding down teeth. But sweet fruits and dried fruits are contraindicated for these rodents due to their predisposition to diabetes.

Degus are very sociable and get used to the hands of their owner and can recognize him by smell. This pet is a social animal, so it requires constant communication either with other degus or with its owner. Therefore, if you do not have enough time for your pet, buy him a pair.

Other rodents

It is very rare to find a squirrel, dormouse, chipmunk, gopher or jerboa as a domestic rodent. For such rodents, it is necessary to observe certain conditions of maintenance and nutrition, based on their living conditions in natural environment.

Don't think that pet rodents don't deserve the same attention as cats or dogs. If you have small animal, then he has already become a member of your family who has the right to attention, care and love. You must decide for yourself which rodent to have in your home, choosing the animal to suit your temperament. No matter who you choose, any pet is capable of making you touch and rejoice, and will reciprocate your affection and love.

Nobody knows when people first became acquainted with rats; this animal always lives next to us.

The rat belongs to mammals, to the order - rodents, suborder - mouse-like. The most common animal on the planet is the rat.

Appearance of the rat, description and characteristics

The body of the rat is oval-shaped and stocky. The body of the animal is from 8 cm to 30 cm, weighing up to 500 g, there are small ones weighing 37 grams.

The eyes and ears are small, the muzzle is sharp and elongated. Is the tail longer than the size of the rat's body, hairless or covered with fine hair? invisible to the human eye (a type of black rat has a tail with a thick coat of fur). There is a species of short-tailed rodents in the world.

A rat's teeth are arranged tightly together in rows and are designed for chewing food. These animals are omnivores; they differ from other predators in the absence of fangs and diastema - this is an area on the gums where there are no teeth.

There are no dental roots, so growth occurs continuously throughout the rat's life. For convenience, they need to constantly grind down their teeth, otherwise she will not be able to close her mouth.

The teeth are strong with hard yellow enamel, which makes it possible to easily chew through concrete, cement and hard various metals.

The rodent's body is covered with a thick, dense coat of guard hairs. The color range is varied, gray with different shades of dark or light, red, orange and even yellow.

These amazing animals have movable toes on their paws, so they easily climb trees and prepare nests in hollows for habitat.

Rats are very active and agile animals, running 17 km a day and jumping up to 1 meter in height. They swim well, are not afraid of water and can catch fish.

Rats often turn their heads in different directions because they have a small visual angle, the world see in shades of grey.

Hearing functions perfectly, rats distinguish sounds with a frequency of up to 40 kHz (humans up to 20 kHz).

Life expectancy is from 1 year to 3 years. In laboratory conditions, rats can live 2 times longer.

Difference between rats and mice

Rats and mice are representatives of the same suborder, but they differ significantly in appearance and behavior.

The body of a mouse is small, up to 20 cm, weighing up to 50 grams, rats are twice as large, they are dense and muscular, weighing up to 900 grams.

Pronounced distinctive shapes of the head and eyes; in mice it is triangular and slightly flattened with big eyes, rats have an elongated muzzle with small eyes.

A strong body and powerful toes allow rats to jump high up to 1 meter; mice cannot do such tricks.

Mice are cowardly animals and are afraid to appear in front of people, but this does not bother rats; they can defend themselves. There are many cases where they attacked a person.

Rats are omnivores, consuming meat and plant foods. On the contrary, mice have a greater preference for cereals and seeds.

Habitat of rats and lifestyle

Large rats live all over the world except Antarctica and the polar regions. They live in groups, very rarely living alone.

Most often, groups consist of hundreds of individuals with one male at the head and two to three females. The territory of residence for each group is its own, extending up to 2 thousand square meters.

The diet depends on the habitat. Omnivorous rats eat approximately 25 grams of food per day, but without water it is difficult for them daily norm moisture up to 35 ml.

Gray rats mainly feed on protein foods of animal origin, small rodents, toads, and chicks.

Black rats prefer food of plant origin: green plants, nuts, fruits, cereals.

Rats are wary of pigs, hedgehogs, ferrets, dogs and cats - these are the main land enemies. Among the birds, the most feared and avoided rodents are the hawk, owl, eagle and kite.

Reproduction and lifespan of rats

Rats do not have a mating season; they can breed year-round. But the peak of sexual activity comes in spring and summer. The female mates with different males, pregnancy in rats lasts up to 24 days, and the lactating female carries the cubs for up to 34 days.

Rats prepare nests in advance and cover the bottom with soft grass, cloth, and paper for the birth of offspring. The cubs emerge naked and blind. When dead rat pups are born, the mother devours them; the number at birth can be up to 20.

The male can eat all the offspring if there are non-viable rat pups; he does not take part in caring for them. The female, on the contrary, provides meticulous care, feeds milk, licks the babies and removes debris from the nest.

After 17 days, the little rats open their eyes, and a month later they lead a full-fledged life on their own. Puberty begins after 3-4 months, and they can reproduce 6 months after birth. Life expectancy is up to two years.

Gray rats breed up to 8 times a year, but black rats breed only in the warm season. Today, experts estimate that there are 2 rats per person in the world.

Why are rats dangerous?

Rats are a disaster for all humanity. They gnaw through walls in the basements of houses, sewer pipes, damage electrical mains, and damage crops.

Rats are carriers of more than 20 infectious diseases, such as leptospirosis, plague, salmonellosis, pseudotuberculosis and others. Many are dangerously fatal to human life.

It is difficult to exterminate rats using chemicals because the animal’s body quickly adapts to the poison and develops protective immunity to toxins.

Rats are a pet

Rats are ideal pets. They quickly become tamed to humans and recognize their owner by the face.

Neat and clean animals do not require special care. They will give their owner many funny moments; they are very interesting to watch.

But the owner of a pet rat should not forget that this is a social animal and it is difficult for him to live alone. The rat definitely needs a mate, otherwise a mental disorder may develop.

Type of rat, name and photo

There are about 70 species of rats in the world, most of which are little studied; below are common species of rodents with brief description and a photo of a rat.

The gray rat (pasyuk) is one of the larger species, up to 25 cm long, the tail is not taken into account. Weight from 140 grams to 390 grams, with a wide, elongated muzzle. The gray coat of young animals becomes orange with age. It lives near water, in dense vegetation and digs holes up to 5 meters.

The black rat is smaller in size than the gray rat, with a much smaller muzzle and rounded ears. Body length up to 22 cm, weight about 300 grams. A significant difference between this species of rodent is the tail, which is densely covered with hair and 4-5 times longer than the size of the body.

Lives in Asia, Africa and Europe. It can live for a long time without water, so it lives in dry places. The wool is black with a green tint.

The small rat differs from its fellows in size. Body length up to 15 cm maximum with body weight up to 80 grams. It has a brown coat color, a sharp muzzle and inconspicuous small ears. The tail is as long as the body without any signs of fur. Lives in Southeast Asia.

The long-haired rat is characterized by long hair and high activity. Males grow up to 18 cm, and females up to 16 cm in length. The tail is 4-5 cm smaller in size from the body. Habitat in arid deserts.

The Turkestan rat lives in China, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. The fur is red, the belly is pale yellow, the body length is up to 23 cm. This variety is similar to the gray one, but has a denser body and a wide head in size.

Black-tailed rat or rabbit. It has average dimensions up to 22 cm, weight about 190 grams.

An interesting feature of this type of tail is a tuft of hair at the tip.

The back is painted gray and Brown color with noticeable black hairs.

They live in Australia and New Guinea mainly in eucalyptus forests, dense grass and shrubs. Lead active image They live at night and hide in holes during the day.

Interesting and educational facts about the life of rats

In India there is a Karni Mata temple where rats are revered, cared for and protected. If the rules for caring for a sacred animal and killing it are violated, this person is obliged to bring a golden figurine in the form of a rat to the temple.

In some American states Hitting a rat with a baseball bat is prohibited and will result in a $1,000 fine.

In Asian and African countries, rats are considered a worthy delicacy for a festive dinner. Rat meat is considered a delicacy.

In year gray rat eats up to 12 kg of various cereal products. Experts have calculated that every year about 6 kg of one farmer’s harvest is spent on feeding one rat.

Many people want to have an animal at home, and quite often people choose a rodent. But the rodent family is quite large, who should you choose? Today we will help you with this. Present to your attention full list domestic rodents.

Hamsters

Hamsters are very popular pet rodents. But it is worth keeping in mind that this small and cute animal is a nocturnal animal and, moreover, quite aggressive. During the day, the hamster will sleep soundly and will not want to play with you. And if you decide to add a relative to him, then a violent showdown with one of the animals will be guaranteed.

To tame a hamster, you need to show persistence and patience. Otherwise, this cute animal may show and painfully bite its owner.

The hamster will need a durable one made of wire, equipped with a house, a wheel, and tunnels of your choice. If you want to let your pet run around the apartment, then use a walking ball, otherwise the hamster may climb into a hard-to-reach place, chew wiring or other things.

This domestic rodent is not very picky when it comes to food. The main thing is to stick to some. You can find out what to feed your hamster. The hamster eats little, takes up little space, and requires minimal attention. This pet rodent will feel great alone in his. The main thing is not to forget to feed him and change his water on time. The only drawback of these animals is, on average, 2-3 years.

The most common representatives of hamsters are the Syrian hamster. Read about what types of domestic hamsters exist in our article.

Mice

For many centuries, these small creatures have lived next to humans. And, the attitude towards such rodents, and we will talk about them, is very ambiguous. On the one hand, rodents harm and spoil products, and on the other hand, imagine at least one medical and research laboratory in which laboratory rats and mice would not live. And, since these creatures can live in laboratories, then why can’t they live in our homes as pets?

Relatives of ordinary house mice today are decorative mice. It’s just that if the first ones are destroyed, then the second ones are groomed and tender. Of course, such a house mouse - great option a candidate for the role of a pet if you have limited living space and free time. But who should not start decorative mice, so this is for those who are pathologically afraid of these creatures, or cannot stand the specific mouse smell (no matter how you clean and wash the cage, the smell will still hang in the air), as well as for those who are allergic to rodents.

What are the peculiarities of keeping such pet mice, what to feed such rodents, and how to care for them? We will try to answer all these questions in our article.

Rats

Most of us shudder at the words “house rats”: we immediately think of rather large rodent pests that can not only cause damage to property, but also infect them with diseases.

But in fact, these animals can be very interesting pets.

There are different breeds of rats, but absolutely all of them are distinguished by their amazing intelligence, speed of learning and even good training abilities. Let's get to know them from this side. And at the same time we will learn how to care for a pet rat.

Guinea pigs

Guinea pig (from Latin cavia porcellus - small pig) is a domesticated rodent of the pig family, which belongs to the genus pig. The animal is a small, usually up to one and a half kilograms, well-fed animal with floppy ears, convex large eyes and a wide muzzle. The enormous popularity of the rodent is due to its attractive appearance, unpretentiousness, good-natured and trusting character and peaceful temperament. The Guinea pig is the safest pet for children of primary preschool age.

The rodent received its name, which at first sounded like “overseas pig,” in Russia precisely because it arrived from overseas, and the shape of the animal’s head resembled the head of a pig. The animal is also called kewi, cavey or Guinea pig.

Squirrels

The common squirrel, or otherwise known as the squirrel, belongs to rodents from the squirrel family. There are about 15 species of animal that live in wildlife in forests.

The animal is not big size, nimble and easy to climb. Its weight is approximately a quarter kg, length - from 20 to 28 cm. The longest part - the tail - is equal to a third of the entire body.

Veksha changes her fur clothes in the off-season. In winter, its fur becomes fluffier and softer, and in summer it becomes shorter and tougher.

The squirrel is one of the most beautiful forest inhabitants that humans have managed to tame and domesticate. An example of grace and correct proportions. The owner of a fluffy tail, shiny black eyes and fluffy tassels on the ears.

This is a spontaneous and active animal, and, in addition, unpretentious in its content.

Chipmunks

Everyone knows the cartoon “Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers” and is moved by its main characters, but you can give a child a great gift by buying real live chipmunks as pets.

The chipmunk adapts well to life in captivity; it is unpretentious in both care and food.

The only difference from the cartoon characters is that they do not get along well with each other from autumn to spring, and each animal will need an individual cage.

Adult size varies depending on the specific species. The smallest representative is 5 centimeters in length and weighs 30 grams, and the largest is 15 centimeters in length and about 130 grams in weight. Distinctive feature All chipmunks have longitudinal stripes on their backs that alternate in color. Usually there are 9 of them, of which 5 are dark and 4 are light.

Degu

Degus are small animals that look like a jerboa. Along with other exotics, they are rapidly gaining popularity among those who want to have an unusual pet.

Degu is a small South American rodent. Other common names for this animal include two: bush rat and Chilean squirrel. The animal is highly active with a relatively small size. An adult reaches up to 30 cm in length, while weighing only 200-300 g. In nature, degus come in only two colors: brown-yellow or chestnut-gray.

The fur of the Chilean squirrel is hard and dense. Like most rodents, these animals have 8 pairs of teeth that grow throughout their lives. Degus can adapt to living at home if they are provided with the appropriate conditions. With proper care and nutrition, such a pet can live up to 6-8 years.

Gerbil

Choosing pet people often stop near cages with gerbils. These rodents have wonderful character. They are clean, easy to tame, trainable and look very cute.

Their curiosity and friendliness will delight you every day. Just by looking at the photo of a gerbil, all doubts about the decision to have one as a pet disappear.

Today there are more than 100 species of these rodents. It is worth noting that only one of them was tamed. This is a Mongolian gerbil.

In their natural environment, these mice live in families. Therefore, if you decide to have this baby at home, you need to take a couple of individuals. Living alone could have a negative impact on her health.

The size of a gerbil mouse varies from 5 to 20 cm. It weighs from 15 to 200 grams. Home distinctive feature is the tail. It is covered with fluff along its entire length, and the tip is decorated with a tassel. The coat color is sand.

Sonya

Under natural conditions, the rodent dormouse prefers wooded areas, preferably oak, wild fruit trees or beech. He feeds on the fruits of these trees, and makes a cozy home in their hollows. It does not evoke sympathy among southern farmers, as it harms the grape industry.

There are several types of them, but they are divided into two groups - terrestrial and arboreal. The arboreal ones resemble small squirrels, while the terrestrial ones are more like mice. All species adapt well to life in captivity, but there is an important requirement - frequent cleaning of the cage is necessary. Although these animals are small, they quickly pollute the home, causing unpleasant odors.

Jerboa

Jerboas are a group of mouse-like rodents, of which more than 25 species are known. Their body shape, ease of maintenance and small size make them attractive as pets to many animal lovers.

This animal has a small body size, enough a long tail, at the end of which there is a brush, as well as large hind legs. Thanks to its fur, the jerboa is protected from various temperature changes typical of desert areas.

The animal, in comparison with other representatives of rodents, has quite large dimensions of 25-26 cm and a tail, the length of which is 30 cm. The fur on the back has a red or brownish-gray tint, on the cheeks the color is slightly lighter, the neck and belly have White color. The head of the jerboa is round in shape with oval ears and fairly large eyes. He also has small front legs and strong hind legs. The weight of the animal, depending on its type, can reach 250-300 grams.

In natural conditions, jerboas move a lot, and, consequently, the lack of movement and a small amount of free space can develop in a domestic jerboa such a disease as physical inactivity, which will lead to its early death. To avoid this outcome, you should provide your pet with a large enclosure, the size of which will be at least 0.5 m.

Large rodents

Chinchilla

Chinchilla (lat. Chinchilla) belongs to the order Rodents, suborder Porcupines, superfamily Chinchilla-shaped, family Chinchillaidae, genus Chinchilla.

Chinchillas have a round head and a short neck. The body is covered with thick soft hair, and hard hairs grow on the tail. The body length is 22-38 cm, and the tail grows 10-17 cm long. The weight of a chinchilla reaches 700-800 grams, while females are larger and heavier than males.

At night, chinchillas can easily navigate thanks to their huge eyes, which have vertical pupils. The whiskers of mammals grow up to 10 centimeters in length. Chinchilla ears are round in shape and have a length of 5-6 cm. In the ears there is a special membrane with which the chinchilla closes its ears when taking a sand bath.

The chinchilla's skeleton can be compressed in a vertical plane, so the animals can crawl into the smallest crevices. The hind legs of chinchillas are four-toed, and the front legs have 5 toes. The hind limbs are very strong and twice as long as the front ones, which allows mammals to jump high.

The life expectancy of a chinchilla reaches 20 years.

A couple of centuries ago, chinchillas were on the verge of extinction - they were destroyed because of their very valuable fur, but gradually the situation changed for the better for the animal and from the status of a hunting trophy, this rodent migrated into our homes to the status of a pet and everyone's favorite.

But in order for the animal to feel comfortable, healthy and cheerful, it is worth knowing how to properly feed it, what to feed it and is it possible to breed it at home?

Jerzy

The common hedgehog is a very famous mammal, widespread throughout Europe and even on some islands. His appearance and lifestyle sometimes attract animal lovers who keep a hedgehog as a pet.

It is difficult to confuse a hedgehog with someone else: the entire back of the animal is densely covered with sharp short spines black-gray, the length of which is usually 2.5-3 centimeters. The needles stick out in different directions to cause maximum damage to enemies and provide a high degree of protection. The total length of the hedgehog's body ranges from 20 to 30 centimeters, and it also has a short tail - about 2-3 centimeters.

The weight of an adult animal varies from 600 grams to 1 kg; on the head of the hedgehog there is a long, wet black nose extended forward. It has sharp teeth, the number of which on the upper jaw is greater than on the lower jaw - 20 and 16, respectively.

The hedgehog has four short legs, each with 5 toes and claws. The front legs are 1.5-4 cm shorter than the hind legs. This animal has dense gray fur growing on its belly and between its spines. The needles themselves grow at the speed of wool, have a hollow structure inside and grow in numbers from 4 to 6 thousand pieces.

Rabbits

The decorative rabbit is a very cute creature. First of all, when getting this furry pet, you need to remember that it is not just a beautiful soft toy, but a living creature that needs constant care and attention.

Decorative dwarf rabbits are very cute and funny animals that love communication and attention. Those who got such a pet are convinced that communicating with him brings a lot of joy and good emotions. Caring for dwarf rabbits is easy and more cost effective than caring for a dog or cat.

Rabbits love to walk on grass on lawns, so be sure to purchase a collar and leash. Walking does not need to be done every day; the rabbit masters the tray perfectly and is not capricious. This pet is light and compact, so you can take it with you in a cage to the country house or on other trips. Even a child can carry the cage. But remember that this animal is very sociable and can become stressed from inattention. If it is necessary to leave, the animal can be entrusted to relatives or friends, as it easily tolerates a change of habitat.

Hares

To the surprise of many skeptics, hares are increasingly gaining a place next to people in their homes. Having average duration Living from 5 to 15 years, hares are very sociable, active and cute creatures. It's impossible not to get attached to the big-eared cutie.

There are various reasons why last years the hares turned from simple source meat in some of the best pets. Here are some of them:

• They are very sociable creatures that do not require any special training;
• They are very playful and funny;
• Being very sociable creatures, they need constant interaction with people and other hares;
• They are willing to play with people and other animals outside of their cage every day.

If you want to have a bunny, then you should know that a lot of work will await you. Along with the arrival of a pet into your home, you have a huge responsibility for it.

Marmots

The marmot is a mammal. Belongs to the order of rodents from the squirrel family. Most common steppe species, in another way it is also called boibak.

In nature, it lives in the steppe and forest-steppe areas, but also takes root well in captivity. Requires increased attention, but quickly becomes attached to its owners. It is considered the most intelligent of the group of rodents that have adapted to home conditions. Each marmot has a special character and temperament.

Marmots are most often small in size. But among rodents, this is one of the most large species, an adult – about the size of a cat. They can weigh from 5 to 10 kg, with a height of 40 to 50 cm. They wear a fluffy fur coat of a sandy or brownish-reddish hue. They are born without hair and blind, first feed on their mother's milk, then switch to grass.

Gophers

The gopher is an animal of the chordate type, class mammals, order rodents, squirrel family, genus gophers (lat. Spermophilus or Citellus). The Russian word “suslik” comes from the Old Church Slavonic “susati”, which means “to hiss”.

The average body length of an adult animal is 15-25 cm. Individuals of some large gophers grow up to 40 cm, with males always larger and heavier than females. The weight of the gopher ranges from 200 grams to 1.5 kg.

Pet lovers often try to keep these cute-looking gophers in room conditions. Despite their pleasant appearance, gophers are not suitable for keeping at home. The possibilities of domestication and human contact with it are quite limited. The smell of the excretions of these animals is quite noticeable, which makes keeping them in an apartment difficult.

In the living corners of young naturalists or in scientific institutions, keeping gophers can be of interest, especially if there are observation and experimental programs. They are used primarily as laboratory animals. Thin-toed ground squirrels differ in better side from other species that are poorly accustomed to human society.

List of pet rodents

Whom to choose?

What kind of rodent should you keep at home? The question is interesting, and there is no clear answer to it. It all depends on your preferences, fears and living conditions.

Surprisingly, almost half of the species of living mammals are rodents. In terms of numbers, rodents are by far the most successful. These toothy animals have spread throughout the globe. By total number rodents have superiority over all other mammals.

This is partly explained high speed reproduction characteristic of small animals: the house mouse reaches sexual maturity at the age of 5 weeks and within a year it can give birth to more than 50 mice. In addition, rodents were able to adapt perfectly to different conditions a habitat. Squirrels get fat by begging in parks. House mice and rats take advantage of the fact that people grow crops and stockpile food. Muskrats and nutria thrive in irrigation canals and artificial reservoirs.

What do rodents eat?

Rodents are primarily herbivores, but some species also consume other foods. Agoutis eat fruits, grass and shellfish. Muskrats periodically eat fish, crayfish and freshwater mollusks. The golden-bellied beaver rat feeds almost exclusively on animal food - snails, fish, mollusks, frogs and even waterfowl.

Mice eat what people intend for themselves. This includes cheese, bread, lard and much more. But in nature, the diet of most mouse species consists of seeds, fruits, plant shoots and insects. Grasshopper hamsters living in North America They hunt scorpions and even other rodents quite well.

In the distant past, some rodents were very large. One of the extinct species of North American beavers was the size of a small baribal bear. South America boasted a rodent that, judging by its bones, was no smaller than a wild boar, with a head like an ox. The largest among modern rodents is the South American capybara, whose weight is more than 45 kg, and the length from the tip of the muzzle to the base of the barely noticeable tail is 1.2 m. Beavers reach a length of 90 cm (without tail) and a weight of almost 35 kg. Porcupines and muskrats are slightly smaller. However, most modern rodents, including mice, are small. A small animal requires less food than a large animal and is more likely to survive when food is scarce. Small animal- easy prey for predators, but he can easily hide. Large animals reach sexual maturity late and give birth to relatively few young. Small ones ripen early and for their short life produce numerous offspring.

Rodent teeth

A distinctive feature of rodents is that their protruding, chisel-shaped incisors grow throughout their lives. Latin name of this animal species Rodentia means "those who gnaw". Rodents chew for two reasons: firstly, to eat, and secondly, to prevent their incisors from growing too much. If the teeth are not worn down, they will eventually become embedded in the opposite jaw. Rodents' teeth are very strong. Rats and mice can even chew through concrete.

However, not every animal with chisel-shaped incisors can be classified as a rodent. Many mouse-like animals, such as shrews and moles, are not rodents either. They have a completely different dental system, and they feed exclusively on animal food. Rodents, as a rule, eat plant foods.

Voice of rodents

The squirrel chirps in a high voice, the mouse squeaks, the porcupine grumbles when meeting an enemy, and grunts in other cases. The capybara also grunts like a pig, and when satisfied, it clicks quietly. The tuco-tuco, which lives in South America, makes sounds similar to its name when digging a hole.

Other rodents communicate using other sounds. prairie dogs They announce danger with a piercing bark. The gray-haired marmot, found in the northern Rocky Mountains, makes a whistle that can be heard 1.5 km away. Some rodents grind their teeth loudly in irritation. The shaggy hamster from East Africa begins to grind its teeth even if you just look at it. And the already mentioned grasshopper hamsters sometimes stand on their hind legs and howl like miniature wolves. Reed rats, going out at night in search of food, continuously emit a metallic “bang” sound.