What Makes a Rodent a Rodent?

Hey everyone!
I’ve recently been diving into the fascinating world of rodents and wanted to spark a discussion about what actually defines them as a group. As many of you know, rodents are characterized by their continuously growing incisors, and they make up a significant portion of mammalian diversity.

For those curious about the specifics, rodents include mice, rats, squirrels, guinea pigs, and even porcupines! They generally inhabit every continent except Antarctica and have adapted to various environments.

Some specific discussion points I’d love to explore:

  1. What anatomical traits do you think are most crucial in defining rodents?
  2. How do their behaviors differ from other mammals, and what evolutionary advantages do these behaviors provide?
  3. Are there any misconceptions about rodents that you’ve encountered?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!