Eumuroida facts for kids

Quick facts for kids "True Muroids"
Mus musculus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Superfamily:	Muroidea Eumuroida
Families
Calomyscidae Nesomyidae Cricetidae Muridae

Eumuroida is a special group of rodents. Think of them as the "true muroids." This group includes many animals you know, like mice, rats, hamsters, and gerbils. Scientists first named this group in 2004.

Eumuroida is not a standard level in animal classification. Instead, it's a way to group animals that are very closely related. It sits between a larger group called a superfamily and smaller groups called families. All animals in the Eumuroida group share a common ancestor. This means they all evolved from the same ancient animal.

Who Belongs to This Group?

The Eumuroida group includes four main families of rodents. Each family has its own unique types of animals.

Mouse-like Hamsters (Calomyscidae)

This family includes animals known as mouse-like hamsters. They look a bit like mice but are related to hamsters. These small rodents are mostly found in parts of Asia and Eastern Europe.

Nesomyidae Family

The Nesomyidae family is very diverse. It includes many interesting rodents, mainly from Africa and Madagascar.

• Pouched rats and mice: These animals have special pouches in their cheeks, just like hamsters. They use these pouches to carry food.
• African climbing mice: As their name suggests, these mice are great at climbing trees.
• Malagasy rats and mice: These are unique rodents found only on the island of Madagascar.

Cricetidae Family

The Cricetidae family is a large group. It includes many well-known rodents from around the world.

• Voles, lemmings, and muskrats: These are small, sturdy rodents often found in cooler climates. Voles look like chunky mice, while lemmings are famous for their population cycles. Muskrats are larger, semi-aquatic rodents.
• True hamsters: This group includes all the hamsters you might know as pets. They are known for their short tails and cheek pouches.
• North American rats and mice: This includes many types of rats and mice found across North America.

Muridae Family

The Muridae family is the largest group of rodents. It contains over 700 species! Many of the common rats and mice you see belong to this family.

• Gerbils: These small, desert-dwelling rodents are popular pets. They are known for their long tails and jumping ability.
• Old World rats and mice: This huge group includes the common house mouse and brown rat. They are found almost everywhere in the world.