Rabbits are Herbivores and have different digestive systems than Rats. Rabbits are Cecotropes. The rodents tend to eat anything they happen to come by. They will eat food rich in protein, starch, and sugar, and they are good at stealing and digesting this food. On the other hand, Rabbits cannot stand high starch and glucose. Their digestive system makes it difficult to eat different kinds and sorts of food rich in starch and sugar.
What are Rabbits, if not Rodents?
More than a hundred years ago, James W. Gidley explained why we need to change the classification of rabbits. There are various differences between rodents and rabbits. However, the centuries-old belief still has solid ground in the mind of people—most of the time, people associate rabbits with the scientifically wrong Rodentia family. The rabbits, on the contrary, belong to lagomorphs, an entirely different breed. So if you still think that rabbits and rodents are related, you are standing on the centuries-old belief that has been scientifically discarded. Jump to 18 Ways to Make Money by Rabbit Farming **CHARTS**
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Differences Between Rabbits and Rodents
These species have many differences, but the most common ones start from the digestive system and eating habits. Rabbits are herbivores, and you should make them stick to this habit as well. When you offer nuts and grains to the rabbits, they will get obese and develop various digestive issues. That’s why you should avoid giving pulses and other grains to your pet rabbits. Another thing that seems a bit disgusting but is normal among rabbits is eating their food twice. Rodents don’t need to eat their food again to get maximum nutrition.
Rabbits eat their Own Poop
Rabbits, on the contrary, need to eat their poop again to get maximum nutrition from it. This is gross and disgusting, but it is essential for rabbits. Rodents, on the other hand, don’t need to do so. The next difference between rabbits and rodents is teeth. Rodents have two incisors while rabbits have four, and they continuously keep growing. You need to provide them with hard things to chew as the continually increasing teeth can pose serious threats and cause severe injury to your cute bunnies. Vets and experts suggest that you offer apple branches, chewing plates, and other hard-to-chew grassy food to save them from this deformity.
Different Digestion Systems
The digestive system of both mammals is also different and makes them go for different food sources. When you see a rat, the first thing that comes to your mind is an opportunity eater. The rodents tend to eat anything they happen to come by. They will eat food rich in protein, starch, and sugar, and they are good at stealing and digesting this food. On the other hand, Rabbits cannot stand high starch and glucose. Their digestive system makes it difficult to eat different kinds and sorts of food rich in starch and sugar.
Different Breeding Qualities
The most enthralling difference between rabbits and rodents is the baculum or the penis bone. The baculum is a bone that helps in swift erection and a more extended mating period. Rodents have a baculum to provide mating chances in complex situations and scenarios. Rabbits do not have this bone, and they take a long time managing the process’s hydraulics. Baculum gives rodents and other animals an advantage in the mating process, but rabbits are deprived of this stiff gift of nature. The change in the penis structure and presence of the bone makes it clear that both the rabbits and rodents belong to different species. Lagomorphs do not have baculum; that’s why it is safe to say that rabbits belong to the lagomorph and not the rodent family.
Final Thoughts – What are Rabbits, if not Rodents?
Rabbits look similar to Rats but physiologically they are quite different, diet, teeth, and digestion are the big ones.
