Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Small mammals refer to mammalian species that are small-sized such as rodents (mice, rats), lagomorphs (rabbits, hares), shrews, bats etc.
Related terms
Rodents: This is an order of mammals characterized by two continuously growing incisors in both its upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing.
Insectivores: These are animals whose diet consists mainly of insects. Some small mammals like shrews fall into this category.
This refers to the variety of life found in a particular habitat or ecosystem. Small mammals contribute significantly to biodiversity due to their varied species and roles in the ecosystem.