Muridae – Murids
The largest family of mammals and rodents containing the Old-World mice and rats, gerbils, whistling rats, and relatives
They are quite versatile organisms that can live in a wide variety of settings. These small rodents are at the bottom of the vertebrate food chain, from coyotes and snakes to hawks and bobcats. There is a constant need for chewing to keep their ever-expanding teeth in check.
They are widespread, with representatives on every continent except Antarctica and numerous marine islands. They are found in a variety of habitats, from arid deserts to lush tropical forests, from arctic tundra to tropical savanna to mild woodlands. There are animals that spend part of their lives in the water, dwell underground, and spend their entire lives among the treetops of a tropical rainforest.
