|
Lagomorph - Definition and Overview |
|
|
The Lagomorphs, order Lagomorpha, are an order of mammals of which there are two families, Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas).
Though members of order Lagomorpha can resemble rodents (order Rodentia), and were classified as a superfamily in that order until the early twentieth century, they are now regarded as separate. They differ from rodents in that:
- they have four (not two as in rodents) incisors in the upper jaw;
- the male's scrotum is in front of the penis;
- the penis has no bone as does the rodents'; and
- they will re-digest first time feces to obtain the most from their plant diet.
They resemble rodents, however, in that their teeth grow throughout their life, thus necessitating constant chewing to keep them from growing too long.
|
|
|
