Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about rodents and lagomorphs.
What is the fundamental difference between rodents and lagomorphs?
Rodents (order Rodentia) have a single pair of continuously growing upper incisors, whereas lagomorphs (order Lagomorpha) carry a second, smaller pair of peg-like teeth directly behind the main incisors. The most common mix-up is calling rabbits rodents, but they belong to a separate order.
Which animals are actually lagomorphs?
Lagomorphs comprise rabbits, hares, and pikas — roughly 90 living species in total. Anything else with long ears or a fluffy tail that people casually lump in with rabbits is almost certainly a rodent, not a lagomorph.
How many rodent species are there?
Rodents are the largest order of mammals, with well over 2,000 described species. They span an enormous size range, from the tiny shrew-mice of Southeast Asia to the capybara of South America.
What do rodents and lagomorphs typically eat?
Both groups are overwhelmingly herbivorous, feeding on grasses, seeds, bark, roots, and leafy greens. A handful of rodent species, such as beavers, gnaw wood for nesting material but still rely on plant matter for actual nutrition.
How long do common pet species live?
Pet rabbits usually reach 8–12 years, guinea pigs 5–8, and rats or mice roughly 2–3 years. Hamsters and gerbils are on the shorter end, often living only 2–3 years under good care.
What is the largest living rodent?
The South American capybara holds the record, standing up to about 1.5 m at the shoulder and weighing over 60 kg. It is also the only large semi-aquatic rodent, spending much of its day in rivers and lakes.
Are rabbits and hares the same animal?
No — hares are born with open eyes and a full coat, favor open terrain, and are built for speed, while rabbits are born blind and hairless, prefer burrows, and tend to be stockier. Both are lagomorphs, not rodents.
Why do their teeth keep growing?
The incisors of both rodents and lagomorphs grow continuously throughout the animal's life, so constant gnawing and chewing are needed to keep them at a functional length. Without regular wear, overgrown teeth can cause painful dental disease and even death.
Where in the world do you find them?
Rodents occupy every continent except Antarctica, thriving in deserts, rainforests, tundra, and cities alike. Lagomorphs are absent from Australia and most Pacific islands but are widespread across the Northern Hemisphere, parts of Africa, and South America.
What is the quickest visual way to tell a rodent from a lagomorph?
Look at the upper front teeth: a rodent shows one pair of large incisors, while a lagomorph reveals a second, smaller pair of peg-teeth tucked right behind them. That hidden second row is the classic lagomorph signature and the fastest field ID.