All rodents share a few common characteristics including: furry robust bodies, short legs, long tails and a pair of incisor teeth that never stop growing. Rodents use their strong teeth to gnaw through wood, aluminum siding, sheet rock, soft cement and to defend themselves. Most rodents tend to prefer eating plant foods like seeds, grains, and small fruit. However, mice and rats are omnivores, meaning their diet consists of plant and animal products.