1. Dental Formula: Rabbits have a distinct dental formula compared to rodents. The upper jaw of a rabbit contains four incisors, two large and two smaller ones. In contrast, rodents typically have only two large incisors in their upper jaw.
2. Cheek Teeth: The shape and structure of the cheek teeth (premolars and molars) are different in rabbits and rodents. Rabbits have cheek teeth that are flat and adapted for grinding plant material. Rodents, on the other hand, have cheek teeth that are ridged and designed for gnawing on a variety of food items.
3. Digestive System: Rabbits possess a unique digestive system compared to rodents. They have a complex digestive system that includes a large cecum, which allows for the fermentation of plant matter. Rodents have a simpler digestive system and lack the specialized cecum that rabbits have.
4. Taxonomy: Rabbits belong to the order Lagomorpha, which includes rabbits, hares, and pikas. Rodents belong to the order Rodentia, which is much more diverse and includes a wide range of animals such as rats, mice, squirrels, beavers, and many others.
5. Behavioral Traits: Rabbits and rodents exhibit distinct behavioral characteristics. Rabbits are known for their hopping gait, burrowing behaviors, and social interactions, forming colonies called warrens. Rodents are diverse in their behaviors, with different species displaying various habits such as climbing, swimming, burrowing, or gliding.
In summary, rabbits are not considered rodents due to their unique dental characteristics, digestive system structure, taxonomic classification, and behavioral traits. While both groups share the feature of continuously growing incisors, they belong to different orders and exhibit distinct adaptations and characteristics.