How Efficient Are Different Rodents When Eating?

This template was adapted from the original submission. Edits were made to enhance scientific accuracy, optimal usability and/or to meet industry-leading design standards for science communication. The main mastication muscle in rodents is the masseter. It attaches anteriorly on the skull and allows rodents to gnaw using the incisors and chew with the molars. There are three ways the masseter is arranged: the sciuromorph condition (e.g. squirrels) is optimized for gnawing, the hystricomorph condition (e.g. guinea pigs) is optimized for chewing, and the myomorph condition (e.g. rats) is adapted for both gnawing and chewing. These differences are reflected in the diets of these animals.