Rodents

What animal is responsible for more human deaths than all wars combined? Norway rats Rattus norvegicus are found on every continent except Antarctica. The diseases they spread, including bubonic plague, have killed more people than all wars and revolutions combined.

Do porcupines really throw their quills? No. The only way you get porcupine quills stuck into you is to touch an adult porcupine. Baby porcupines have soft quills.

What is the largest rodent species? The capybara of South America grows up to 146 lbs, or 66 kg. The largest rodent in North America is the beaver, weighing 40-60 lbs.

What rodent influenced world exploration, history and economics in the 17th century? The North American beaver. The European demand for their fur resulted in a rush of exploration of the Americas, opening up new regions to settlers. Wars were even fought over prime trapping areas.

How much food can a chipmunk store in his cheek pouches? They can store 9 grams, or 3 oz of grain or other seeds.

How fast can rats reproduce? A single pair of Norway rats can produce 15,000 offspring in 3 years. They are able to reproduce as young as 2 months, and have up to 11 young at a time, and reproduce every 3 or 4 weeks.

What is Canada's most endangered mammal? Vancouver Island marmots, found only along the western coast of British Columbia.

What is the lifespan of a squirrel? They live from 8-10 years.

How much food do rodent pests eat in a year? The UN Food & Agriculture Organization has estimated mice and rats worldwide eat 40 million tonnes of grain and other seeds annually.

Why do beavers build dams? To create ponds deep enough so they don't freeze to the bottom, providing deep water storage for their winter food supply.

How do squirrels open hard nuts? They grip it with both hands and their upper incisors while gnawing a hole in the shell with their bottom teeth, which are then used as a lever to split the shell.