Rodents are a type of gnawing mammal that have 4 large incisor teeth which continuously grow and must be worn down through gnawing. They are herbivores with an r-selected reproduction strategy of having numerous offspring with low parental care that reproduce early and have short lifespans, keeping their populations below environmental carrying capacities.

1. Gnawing Mammals

2. Mammals Warm blooded Have a bony skeleton Have a coat of hair Babies drink milk secreted by mothers mammary glands Viviparous - Young are born live (not in eggs)

3. Types of Gnawing Mammals Rodents: consists of the following families: Mice, rats, voles Squirrels Marmots & prairie dogs Porcupines Beavers Rabbits, hares, & pikas

4. Characteristics of Rodents 4 large incisor teeth Teeth never stop growing Double layers Front edge is sharper than back edge Self sharpen with gnawing Must gnaw to keep teeth worn down

5. Gnawing mammals Herbivores Major prey species r-selected population growth Numerous off-spring Low parental care Early reproduction Short life-span & high mortality Maximum population below carrying capacity