Glires facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glires |
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| Kangaroo rat (Dipodomys) | |
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Boreoeutheria
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Glires
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Glires is a special group of mammals. It includes all rodents and lagomorphs. This means animals like rabbits, hares, pikas, and all kinds of rodents (like mice, rats, squirrels, and beavers) are part of the Glires family.
The word "Glires" comes from a Latin word that means "dormice." This group is called a clade, which is a way scientists group living things based on their shared ancestors.
| Euarchontoglires |
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Contents
What are Glires?
Glires are a large and diverse group of mammals. They are found almost everywhere on Earth. The two main groups within Glires are rodents and lagomorphs. These animals share many features, especially in their teeth and how they eat.
Rodents: The Gnawers
Rodents make up the largest group of mammals. There are over 2,000 different kinds of rodents. They are known for their strong, ever-growing front teeth. These teeth are perfect for gnawing on tough foods. Rodents use their teeth to open seeds, nuts, and even tree bark.
Some common rodents include:
Rodents live in many different habitats. They can be found in forests, deserts, grasslands, and even cities. Many rodents are small, but some, like the capybara, can be quite large.
Lagomorphs: Hoppers and Diggers
Lagomorphs are the other main group in Glires. This group includes rabbits, hares, and pikas. While they might look like rodents, they have some key differences. For example, lagomorphs have four upper incisor teeth, while rodents only have two.
Lagomorphs are known for their:
- Long ears (especially rabbits and hares)
- Strong hind legs for hopping
- Soft fur
- Ability to dig burrows (rabbits and pikas)
Rabbits and hares are often found in open fields and forests. Pikas live in rocky, mountainous areas. They are known for collecting plants and drying them for winter food.
Why are Rodents and Lagomorphs Grouped Together?
For a long time, scientists debated if rodents and lagomorphs truly belonged in the same group. They looked at things like their bones and teeth. Early studies had mixed results.
However, more recent studies, especially those looking at their DNA, strongly support the idea. They show that rodents and lagomorphs share a common ancestor. This means they are more closely related to each other than to any other group of mammals. This shared ancestry is why they are now firmly placed together in the Glires clade.
The earliest known Glires fossils date back to the Early Paleocene epoch. This was about 65 million years ago, shortly after the time of the dinosaurs. This shows that the ancestors of today's rodents and lagomorphs have been around for a very long time.
