Mice (the family Muridae)

Mice (Muridae) are the largest family of rodents in terms of species composition and mammals in general. Representatives of the mouse family have a very characteristic and familiar appearance. Muridae are ubiquitous and are active at dusk and at night.

Classification

The murids are classified in five subfamilies, around 150 genera, and about 834 species.

Subfamilies

• Deomyinae (spiny mice, brush furred mice, link rat);
• Gerbillinae (gerbils, jirds and sand rats);
• Leimacomyinae (Togo mouse);
• Lophiomyinae (maned rat or crested rat);
• Murinae (Old World rats and mice, including vlei rats).