Rodents are one of the orders of mammals with the highest number of species in it, many of which are extinct. Their ability to gnaw a wide variety of foods, as well as giving them their name (from the Latin rodere, “to gnaw”), makes rodents particularly well adapted to survive a diverse range of environments. In addition, their short reproductive cycle has facilitated their proliferation across most of the globe.
This order includes rats, squirrels and mice as well as rare species with highly limited ranges.
Fun fact: in the Chinese zodiac, the Rat is an animal associated with strength, charm, tidiness and aggression. Even in India the rat is a symbol of strength and intelligence, and is often depicted as a steed for the god Ganesha.