There are over 2052 species of “rodents” known to us here on earth so far. Unfortunately, 52 of those species are considered to be critically endangered, and this is not simply because they are dying off. This might seem like a small portion of endangered rodents but each species takes up a large portion of the rodent population as a whole. Farmers consider these wild animals to be pests or invading species, even though the likelihood that those animals were there first is extremely high. 

Small animals such as hamsters and mice are considered rodents because they are small and infestive on people’s lives. Humans don’t like it when these small mammals intrude on their lives so their first reaction in order to get rid of them is to kill them. This is exactly how farmers are reacting to the situation as well. These “ rodents” have a diet consisting of berries and other plant based substances. Though this is not ideal for farmers trying to grow crops to sell, the response is not always in the best interest of every creature involved. 

Species like the Wild European Hamster are suffering from the truly unfortunate phenomenon.  These adorable creatures are considered pests on farmlands and are trapped for their furs. Along with habitat destruction, one of the main reasons why this species is rapidly declining in population is because of farmers' persecution towards them. Not only is it the hamsters that are being hunted in a sense, but field mice, prairie dogs, kangaroo rats, and many more as well. 

Rodents such as the listed above are not simply run out of fields or killed, but are hunted for their fur or other attributes that people want to have from them. Much like the Wild European Hamster, chinchillas are widely sought after throughout all of South America for their fur. This same thing happens to beavers and Nutria. 

All animals big and small should have people’s respect, killing or capturing them should be seen as wrong. These creatures are what help keep the ecosystem going, so if they are lost completely, then really humans are actually hurting themselves in a way. The solution to rodent infestation on farms should not be handled by force but rather redirection. They have a life too, so it seems kind to respect that.