Rodents & The Winter Solstice

rodents!

It may surprise you, but rodents are the largest group of mammals, accounting for just over 40% of all mammal species — more than 30 of which are found in North Dakota. These include mice, voles, rats, gophers, prairie dogs, squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, beavers, muskrats and porcupines. It’s an amazingly diverse group.

But a trait that all rodents have in common? Teeth specialized for gnawing.

All rodents have a pair of upper and lower incisors that grow continuously in length. The orange outer paint is very hard, while the inner material is significantly softer. So as the tooth wears away, a sharp edge remains. Rodents need to gnaw – otherwise their teeth could grow long enough to hold their mouths open. And that would not be good!

We often think when rodents are in the house as pests, like grain-eating mice or as a mouse. But many rodents are important foods for several animals, including hawks, owls, and foxes. Prairie dogs live in cities that may be home to a fairly unique community of species, including black-footed ferrets and burrowing owls. Beavers and muskrats are important in aquatic habitats and were important fur bearers. And these are just a few examples.

More than just pests, rodents are an ecologically important group with continuously growing teeth.

winter solstice

We have the winter solstice this week – on Wednesday December 21st.

Ancient cultures knew nothing of the Earth’s rotation and orbit, and for people of higher latitudes, winter was a time of apprehension. The days were getting shorter and the sun moved further south in the midday sky. What if the sun disappeared completely? You would be left in the dark.

After the solstice, however, they had reason to celebrate. The days begin to lengthen. Fear and foreboding were replaced by joy and optimism. Solstice celebrations can be traced back to most ancient cultures. It was perhaps the most celebrated natural phenomenon.

After Wednesday, the days get longer towards the longest day of the year – the summer solstice in June.