Have you ever looked at a raccoon rummaging through your trash and thought, “Is that a giant rodent?” You’re not alone. Many people mistakenly categorize raccoons as rodents, perhaps because of their size and some shared behaviors.
However, the truth is more complex and fascinating. Let’s dive into the world of animal classification to clear up this common misconception.
Rodents are a vast and diverse group of mammals, and while raccoons share some similarities with them, they are not part of the rodent family.
To understand why we need to explore the defining characteristics of rodents and see how raccoons fit into the animal kingdom.