The murids are small mammals, typically around long excluding the
tail, but ranging from in the
African pygmy mouse to in the
northern Luzon giant cloud rat. They typically have slender bodies with scaled tails longer than the body, and pointed snouts with prominent
whiskers, but with wide variation in these broad traits. Some murids have elongated legs and feet to allow them to move with a hopping motion, while others have broad feet and
prehensile tails to improve their climbing ability, and yet others have neither adaptation. They are most commonly some shade of brown in color, although many have black, grey, or white markings. Murids generally have excellent senses of
hearing and
smell. They live in a wide range of habitats from
forest to
grassland, and
mountain ranges. A number of species, especially the
gerbils, are adapted to
desert conditions and can survive for a long time with minimal
water. They consume a wide range of foods depending on the species, with the aid of powerful
jaw muscles and gnawing
incisors that grow throughout life. The
dental formula of murids is . Murids breed frequently, often producing large litters several times per year. They typically give birth between twenty and forty days after mating, although this varies greatly between species. The young are typically born blind, hairless, and helpless, although exceptions occur, such as in
spiny mice. ==Evolution==