Rodents, one of several kinds of vertebrates included in the human diet, are very suitable as human food. More than 71 genera and 89 species of rodents, mostly hystricomorphs, have been consumed by man. Some have even been domesticated for private or commercial production of food for human consumption. Rodents in the temperate world serve only as a supplement to the regular diet of humans; but in the tropical world, they are widely accepted and a popular source of protein. Although harvesting field rats for human food is beneficial, it is not an effective pest control strategy. Consuming rodents in pesticide-treated areas and handling rodents with potential zoonoses are two possible risks.
We’re talking, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, groundhogs, rats, beaver, raccoon, gophers and more.
Thanks Nick
Oh so that’s what the ham stir-fry is at our Chinese place. I always leave there with the urge to run really fast on a treadmill.
Scott- That’s better than the stir-fry at our local chinese restaurant. I always have the urge to climb trees and throw acorns at the dogs.
I love a nice warm beaver sandwich on white bread. I never see any cats around a Chinese joint.dunno.
yummy
Don’t forget about rabbit. That is the most commonly eaten rodent. Also, the invasive species, the grey squirrel, is supposed to taste really good. People in areas where the grey squirrel is pushing out the native species are being encouraged to eat the grey squirrel.
Does it taste like beaver?
Beaver is very tasty, so are Guinea Pigs. Porcupines are good in a pinch and can be safely eaten raw. I like rabbit very much. I expect more domestic rabbit to be eaten as we sink into the great repuglican depression, and once the American “Chernobyl”, Financial Derivatives are re-visited, and especially when the Chinese refuse us loans. Aquaculture, a way to get protein and veggies from the same process might gain popularity, and folks are already raising chickens in cities for food as we speak. Many lawns are being converted to veggie plots, Cities are sponsoring “communal veggie plots” or renting garden spaces in preparation for the inevitable food-crunch just around the corner. You can grow enough potatoes in a couple of big garbage pails to keep from starving, and home-brewing is on the rise – cheaper and more nutritious than soda-pop. Tomatoes are easy to grow, and keep well with water-bath canning, I think veggie oriented diets with very a little meat for flavor will surpass the current gluttony on high fat red meat, and fish and chicken will come into their own. People by unpolluted seashores will be best off, able to get some protein from fishing, but aquaculture remains most feasible for inland folk. Some rodent species are protected by law but domestic rabbit cultivation can be done at home, and they Bar-B-Q well if fattened nicely first.
Uncle B, I utilize hydroponics for growing some greens. Is it not unlike aquaculture?
Raccoons are not rodents. They are members of the bear family.
Bears are just big ass tailless rats with longer claws and bigger teeth.
I can tell you squirrels are good but it takes like 4 or 5 of them for a meal,and frog legs taste like chicken
What a timely post! My daughter brought me a dead mouse that she found out in the yard yesterday.
Sander, if cooked properly meeces are delicious.