Why are rabbits not in the rodent family?

Answer 1

No, a rabbit is not a rodent (i.e. Rodentiaorder). Rabbits are lagomorphs (i.e. Lagomorpha order, along with hares and pikas). More specifically, they're leporids (i.e. Leporidae family).

Rabbits are similar to rodents in that their teeth continue to grow throughout their lives; thus, rabbits, like pet rodents, need things to gnaw on to wear their teeth down. In the case of rabbits, they should have lots and lots of hay (for dental health, digestive health, and mental health!); other things that can help wear down their teeth include certain safe woods (like apple wood and willow wood -- untreated, no varnishes, paints, pesticides, etc).

Rabbits are unlike rodents in these ways:

- They have four incisor teeth in the upper jaw instead of two

- They're herbivores instead of omnivores

- The male genitalia has slight differences as well

Rabbits and hares were formerly classified in the order Rodentia (rodent) until 1912, when they were moved into a new order Lagomorpha. This order also includes pikas.

Answer 2

Incidentally, the Rodentia does not include rabbits; rabbits differ from rodents in having an extra pair of incisors and in other skeletal features. Rabbits, hares, and a few other species make up the Lagomorpha. Rabbits also have fur on their feets.

Answer 3

No, rabbits are not considered rodents. They are part of a separate breed called "lagomorphs" that also includes hares and pikas. Rabbits are actually more closely related to horses than rats or mice. Some similar qualities are: rabbits eat with their mouth while rodents eat with their front paws, they have four incisors in the upper jaw (not two as in rodents), they will only eat vegetation (unlike rodents, which will eat meat and vegetation), and lagomorphs send food through their digestive tracts twice.

Answer 4

No, they are lagomorphs.

First of all, just in case you didn't know, hares and rabbits are not the same animal. They just belong in the same order: Lagomorpha. Pikas (an animal similar to a hamster, but larger and wild) also belong to Lagomorpha. The order lagomorpha has two families: Leporidae (rabbits and hares), and Ochotonidae (pikas). Rabbits and hares used to belong to the order Rodentia, but, because they have four incisor teeth (instead of two) and are strictly herbivorous (rodents will sometimes eat meat), they are lagomorphs. Fact: hares are sometimes called 'jackrabbits'. I hope this helps!

Answer 5

Contrary to popular belief rabbits are not part of the rodent family, although they look very similar. They are part of the Lagomorph family, which includes hares, rabbits, and pikas.

Answer 6

Rodents are a form of mammal. Rabbits are similar to rodents (and were at one time considered rodents) but are now classified as lagomorphs.

Answer 7

No a rabbit is sort of a cousin to the rodents but is not a rodent

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

Mammals