The rodent class of animals is a small, gnawing animal that has incisors and no canine teeth. Specifically, they have two pairs of incisors, which continue to grow throughout their lives. Although rabbits do not have any canine teeth and meet other criteria to be considered rodents, they have four incisors on the top row of teeth. Therefore, rabbits are part of the Lagomorph order and are not part of the Rodentia order—not classifying them as rodents.
What Qualifies As a Rodent?
The rodent is classified as a gnawing mammal that has two pairs of incisors and does not have any canine teeth. This layout of teeth makes it easy for animals like the mouse to gnaw on food and objects.
The rodent is the largest order of animals, and it is estimated that nearly half of all mammal species are rodents. There are approximately 1,500 species of mammals alive today.
Rodents can be found on all continents except Antarctica.
Examples of Rodents
The Rodentia family includes popular and widely recognized species like the mouse and the rat. Other common species include beavers, porcupines, squirrels, and capybara. Species of rodents include:
What Are Rabbits?
Although rabbits share a lot of characteristics with various members of the Rodentia class, they are not rodents. They are part of the Lagomorph family, and they differ from rodent species by their dental anatomy. Like rodents, rabbits have four upper incisors compared to the rodents’ two. This is the only difference, so while rabbits are very similar to rodents, they are not rodents.
Other Qualities of The Lagomorph
Lagomorphs are all herbivores. Their incisors continue to grow throughout their lives, which is also true of rodents and they have a gap between their incisors and the teeth by their cheeks. The only living families in the lagomorph order are rabbits and hares, and pikas. Species within these families include European rabbits, European hares, American pikas, and dozens of others.
About the Rabbit
The rabbit is a small mammal. It tends to be very clean, which makes them a great choice for a family pet and even as a house pet. With socialization, some rabbits can be very friendly with their human owners, and enjoy bonding with people.
They are sociable animals, usually preferring to live with other rabbits. If you let your rabbit have the run of the house, keeping two or more together could help you protect furniture and other items against the incredible gnawing of a solitary, bored rabbit’s teeth.
Are Rabbits Rodents?
Rodents are the largest order of small mammals, and one of the most common of all animal types. Rabbits, however, are not a part of the rodent family and are, in fact, a member of the Lagomorph order of animals.
While rabbits are not rodents, they do make excellent pets, and they do share a lot of similar characteristics to their rodent counterparts.
Featured Image Credit by: A Beijeman, Pixabay