![]() These burrowing animals have elongated cheek pouches used to store food to carry back to their underground homes. Hamsters are small rodents containing 25 different species. The terrestrial species live in tropical areas but remain near water to keep their gills damp to survive. They breathe through their gills and can survive briefly out of water. The marine species spend most of their life underwater, living as aquatic species. The most common is the shells of sea snails as the hermit crab’s abdomen is adapted to clasp strongly into the spiraled shape of the sea snail shell. Both groups have soft, vulnerable abdomens which they protect in salvaged empty seashells, in which the whole body can retract. Hermit crabs are crustaceans divided into two groups marine hermit crabs and land hermit crabs. These herbivores have few natural predators, as humans as their main current concern. ![]() Despite their popularity, wild kangaroos are shot for meat, leather hides, and to protect grazing land. These plentiful animals are a symbol of Australia, appearing on the Australian Coat of Arm and some of its currency. ![]() Female kangaroos have pouch called a marsupium in which joeys, baby kangaroos, complete postnatal development. Kangaroos are the only large animals that use hopping as a means of travel. Kangaroos have large, powerful hind legs with large feet adapted for leaping, and a long tail for balance. The kangaroo is a nocturnal marsupial indigenous to Australia. These burrows usually have long entrances with multiple escape tunnels. Mice often stay in groups, building long, intricate burrows in the wild. Mice reproduce quickly, with a gestation period of 20 days, producing and average litter of 10-12 young, known as pups. Field mice’s are known for their pesky behaviours of invading homes for food and shelter. The most popular species, the common house mouse, make playful pets. ![]() Mice are small rodents known for their small rounded ears and pointed snout. The capybara can remain submerged underwater for up to five minutes, hiding from predators or grazing on deeper plants. As semi-aquatic animals, they spend a lot of their time lounging in water, grazing on grass and aquatic plants. Highly social species, they can be found in groups as large as 100 individuals, but are normally found in smaller groups of 10-20 individuals. Similar looking to oversized guinea pigs, these South American rodents inhabits savannas and dense forests, living near bodies of water. The capybara is the largest living rodent in the world. Unfortunately, their main predator are humans as the North American beaver population has historically declined due to over-hunting for fur and glands used in medicine and perfumes. They are known for their alarm signal – slapping their tail loudly against the water – to alert danger. Their strong front teeth can cut trees down, used for building. As the second largest rodent in the world, their colonies build dams to provide still, deep water to protect against predators. Found in North America and Europe, these rodents are known for building damns, canals and lodges in reservoirs of water. Beavers are large, semi-aquatic rodents who are included on the list of nocturnal animals.
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