Many people wonder, are squirrels considered rodents? The answer is yes – squirrels are rodents and part of the rodent family Sciuridae. This includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, flying squirrels, prairie dogs and other small mammals. Like all rodents, squirrels have continuously growing incisors that they use to chew on tree bark, seeds and other food sources.
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Rodent Species
Rodents are a diverse group of mammals in the order Rodentia. What defines them is their unique dental structure: a pair of continuously growing incisors in both the upper and lower jaws. These incisors are perfect for chewing on wood and tree bark, and seeds and nuts. To keep their teeth from getting too long and causing harm, rodents must constantly chew and grind or file them down. This is what allows rodents to adapt and thrive in many environments, making them one of the most successful mammal species on the planet.
Squirrels are a certain species of rodents, just like mice and rats, guinea pigs and the house mouse. They have cheek teeth for grinding food, hind legs longer than their front feet and bushy tails to help with balance. But squirrels are small to medium sized rodents and differ in behaviour and habitat from other rodents in the family.
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Common Rodent Species
- Mice
- Rats
- Squirrels
- Chipmunks
- Beavers
- Porcupines
- Hamsters
- Guinea Pigs
- Capybaras
- Prairie Dogs
- Gophers
- Agoutis & Pacas
Squirrels
Squirrels belong to the Sciuridae family, they’re small to medium sized rodents known for their agility and adaptability. Tree squirrels with their slender bodies and bushy tails are expert climbers, using their tails for balance and communication. Ground squirrels have more robust hind feet and less bushy tails adapted for life on the ground. These rodents live in many different habitats, from dense forests and grasslands to urban areas. Their muscular limbs and furry feet make them good at navigating their environment whether they’re climbing trees or burrowing underground.
Squirrel Species
The squirrel family includes many squirrel species found around the world. Some of the most well known are the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), red squirrel, fox squirrel and black squirrels. Black squirrels are melanic forms of the eastern gray and fox squirrels, meaning they are the same species but with different coloration due to more melanin. Other species include the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, the neotropical pygmy squirrel and the oriental giant squirrels from Asia. While most squirrels live in trees, some like ground squirrels and prairie dogs live underground.
Where do Ground Squirrels Live?
Squirrels live in many different environments, from dense forests to urban areas. Most squirrel species are not endangered but there are specific cases, like the Vancouver Island marmot which is critically endangered. In North America the eastern gray squirrel is common in urban environments where squirrels adapt well to human environments. They build nests in tree branches, wall cavities and even attics and sometimes cause property damage. Most squirrels are good climbers using their hind feet and long tails for balance.
How Do Squirrels Fit into Nature
As North American mammals, squirrels play an ecological role. They store food by burying nuts and seeds which helps grow new trees. Many rodents do this but squirrels are particularly good at spreading plant life. Red squirrels with their reddish fur and tufted ears prefer coniferous forests and are impacted by the presence of grey squirrels. In the UK red squirrels are declining in numbers due to competition for resources and disease caused by grey squirrels. They are prey for other species of predators and maintain the balance of the food chain.
Are Squirrels Related to Other Rodents?
While squirrels are rodents, they are closely related to other small mammals within Sciuridae. Most species of squirrels are not endangered but there are specific cases like the Vancouver Island marmot which is critically endangered. Unlike some species of mice and rats, squirrels are more adapted to tree dwelling life. The genus Sciurus which includes the eastern gray squirrel has a shade tail – a reference to its bushy, shading tail. The genus Ratufa includes the two species of giant squirrels found in Asia.
Squirrel Conservation Status
Many squirrel species are threatened due to habitat loss, fragmentation and human activities like hunting and poaching. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed several squirrel species as endangered or vulnerable including the red squirrel, the eastern gray squirrel and the Oriental giant squirrel. Conservation efforts are needed to protect these squirrel populations and their habitats. Creating protected areas, reforestation programs and education campaigns are important steps in raising awareness and saving these fascinating rodents.
Conclusion
So are squirrels rodents? Yes, squirrels are rodents and share traits with other rodents like continuously growing incisors and gnawing. But their unique behaviour, round ears, point backward-facing ankles, and climbing ability set them apart from other small animals. Whether in South America, North America or beyond, squirrels are amazing and important members of the animal kingdom.
