What are the most common rodents?

The most common rodents that people encounter worldwide include both wild pest rodents and domesticated pet rodents, but in terms of pest and general abundance, house mice and rats are by far the most common. The house mouse Mus musculus is arguably the most common rodent in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica, living in homes, fields, and cities, known for rapid breeding and ability to squeeze through tiny holes. Norway rats Rattus norvegicus and roof rats Rattus rattus are also extremely common, especially in urban areas, sewers, attics, and basements. Other common wild rodents include squirrels such as gray squirrels and red squirrels common in parks and backyards, chipmunks, voles and field mice that live in gardens and fields, gophers that create tunnels in yards, and beavers in rural waterways. Among pet rodents, the most common are hamsters including Syrian and dwarf hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, fancy mice, fancy rats bred for temperament, and chinchillas. In terms of ecological abundance, mice and voles are among the most numerous mammals on Earth due to their high reproductive rates. So if you are talking about rodents most people see as pests, house mice, Norway rats, and roof rats top the list, while in pet stores hamsters and guinea pigs are most common.