Here's a breakdown of different ways to understand "small mammal":
1. By Size:
* General sense: This often refers to mammals weighing less than 10 pounds. Think squirrels, rats, mice, rabbits, etc.
* Scientifically: There's no strict scientific definition, but the term "small mammal" is often used in research and conservation to distinguish from larger mammals. The size range can vary depending on the study and its focus.
2. By Order or Family:
* Order: Some orders, like Rodentia (rodents), are inherently "small" compared to other orders, like Primates.
* Family: Specific families, like Muridae (mice and rats) or Sciuridae (squirrels), are often considered "small mammal" groups.
3. By Lifestyle:
* Habitat: Small mammals are often associated with specific habitats like forests, meadows, or urban areas.
* Diet: Some small mammals, like insectivores, have diets that require them to be small and agile.
Examples of small mammals:
* Rodents: Mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, hamsters, voles, gerbils
* Lagomorphs: Rabbits, hares
* Insectivores: Shrews, moles, hedgehogs
* Bats: Many bat species are small
* Marsupials: Possums, opossums
It's important to note:
* The term "small mammal" is often subjective and can vary depending on the context.
* There are many different ways to classify small mammals, and the specific categories can overlap.
Ultimately, the best way to understand "small mammal" is to consider the specific context in which the term is being used.