Rodents Worksheet for 10-Year-Olds — Elementary Science (Grade 4–5)

Instructions

Read each section carefully and complete the activities to learn more about the amazing world of rodents! Use the word bank for Part 1.

Part 1: Rodent Facts

Complete the sentences below using the words from the word bank. Each word is only used once.

Rodents are a fascinating group of mammals. The word "rodent" comes from a Latin word meaning "to gnaw." All rodents have a special pair of front teeth called 1. ______________ that are open-rooted and grow continuously throughout their lives. To keep these teeth from getting too long, rodents must constantly 2. _______________ on hard things like wood or nuts. There are over 2,000 different 3. _______________ of rodents, making up about 40% of all mammal species! You can find them on all 4. _______________ except for Antarctica.

Part 2: Rodent Riddles

Read the riddles and write the name of the correct rodent on the line.

1. I have a big, bushy tail and I love to climb trees. I spend my autumn days gathering and burying acorns. What am I?
   _________________________


2. I am covered in sharp quills that I use for defense. I can't shoot them, but they detach easily if a predator gets too close. What am I?
   _________________________


3. I am famous for building dams and lodges in rivers using my strong teeth to chop down trees. My large, flat tail helps me swim. What am I?
   _________________________


4. I am the largest rodent in the world and I love to swim. I am very social and live in groups in South America. What am I?
   _________________________

Part 3: Word Scramble

Unscramble the letters to spell the names of five different rodents.

1. SUMEO   _________________________
2. TRASHME   _________________________
3. NEAGUI GPI   _________________________
4. HIPMCUNK   _________________________
5. TRMAOM   _________________________

Part 4: True or False?

Read each statement below. Circle TRUE if the statement is correct or FALSE if it is incorrect.

1. Rabbits are rodents.

   TRUE         FALSE

2. A rodent's front teeth stop growing when it becomes an adult.

   TRUE         FALSE

3. Some rodents, like beavers, can change their environment by building structures.

   TRUE         FALSE

4. The hamster is the smallest rodent in the world.

   TRUE         FALSE

Answer Key

Part 1: Rodent Facts

1. incisors
2. gnaw
3. species
4. continents

Part 2: Rodent Riddles

1. Squirrel
2. Porcupine
3. Beaver
4. Capybara

Part 3: Word Scramble

1. MOUSE
2. HAMSTER
3. GUINEA PIG
4. CHIPMUNK
5. MARMOT

Part 4: True or False?

1. FALSE (Rabbits are lagomorphs, a different order of mammals.)
2. FALSE (Their front teeth grow continuously throughout their lives.)
3. TRUE
4. FALSE (The Pygmy Jerboa is one of the smallest.)