Rodents
If you come face-to-face with a mammal, chances are it could well be a rodent as they account for around 40 per cent of all known mammalian species. And it's their face that holds the secret as to what makes them rodents - their pair of continually-growing incisors in their upper and lower jaws. Some are tiny, like the 4cm-long dwarf three-toed jerboa, and some are massive, while the 66kg capybara is enormous, but most are around 100g, and can be found all over the world (except Antarctica).
Is it true you’re always within 6 feet of a rat?
We’ve all heard it before, but are you really only ever six feet from a rat?
These search and rescue rats can find earthquake victims amongst the rubble
A team of scientists based in Tanzania have been training rats to solve all sorts of problems, including finding people trapped in their homes after a natural disaster.
Top 10: Earth's smallest mammals
Small but mighty, these are the world's tiniest mammals.
Reality Check | Has the pandemic unleashed a plague of rats on our cities?
With much of the UK working from home, are rodents taking over empty offices and cities?
The most successful sperm poison their competitors
A study in mice has found a genetic variant that gives sperm a 99 per cent success rate – and could explain infertility in human men.
From dreaming to life-saving sniffs: 13 science-based rat facts
They're not as scary as they may seem... and here are 13 facts to prove it.
African crested rat | The rabbit-sized rodent with poisonous fur
Research collaboration confirms that African crested rats, L. imhausi, not only store poison as a protective mechanism, but appear to be resistant to the toxins themselves.
Virtual 3D recreation of the heart reveals nerve cells network
The model should allow researchers to precisely study the organisation and function of the heart’s neurons in incredible detail.
Mouse brain mapped with single-cell resolution
The level of detail in the map will help researchers to understand how the mouse brain functions.
Blind mice see again thanks to altered skin cells
The new technique could take the treatment for blindness from six months down to two weeks.
Mice show their emotions on their faces, just like humans
The findings could allow scientists to develop mouse models to help understand the role of emotions in anxiety disorders or depression.
Rats avoid actions that will hurt others - even if it earns them a treat
Researchers believe their findings could help scientists develop new drug treatments to increase harm aversion.
Learning to drive can lower stress levels in rats
The rats were trained to operate tiny cars to get food rewards
Brain cells’ ability to work as a team strengthens memories
Study in mice uncovers why some memories persist longer than others.
The naked mole rat's guide to eternal life
Immune to pain, free from cancer and living in a highly developed society with a queen - is there nothing naked mole rats can't do?
Can we end animal testing?
We find out whether innovative techniques using stem cells, computer modelling and 3D-printing could reduce the number of animals used in medical research.
Bone marrow transplants could prevent memory loss
Transplanting bone marrow from young mice into old mice can slow down the ageing of their brains, potentially pointing to a way of slowing cognitive decline in humans, too.
Defect-free mice born from same-sex parents
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences used stem cells and genetic manipulation to produce 29 live, healthy offspring from two female mice.
Male mice turned into females using DNA previously thought to be ‘junk’
Finding could lead to treatments for sexual development disorders in humans.
What connects rats and landmines?
Rats in Mozambique, Cambodia and Angola have a very unique connection to explosives.
How do squirrels find buried nuts?
These busy little mammals use their heads more than their noses.
Could rats really grow as big as sheep?
You may have heard that sheep-sized rats will soon be rampaging through our towns and cities. Yes, that's right. Rats. As big as sheep. Could it really happen?