List of fictional rodents in literature

This list of fictional rodents in literature is subsidiary to the list of fictional animals and covers all rodents appearing in printed works of literature including beavers, chipmunks, gophers, guinea pigs, hamsters, marmots, prairie dogs, and porcupines plus the extinct prehistoric species (such as Rugosodon).

Squirrels

This section exclusively lists all squirrels (flying, red, grey, sazzys, and otherwise).

Character/s Author Work Notes
Urchin M. I. McAllister The Mistmantle Chronicles A red squirrel with peculiar coloring.
Bannertail Ernest Thompson Seton Bannertail: The Story of a Graysquirrel A gray squirrel. Orphaned as a baby, he was taken in and raised by a cat. Adapted into an anime series.
Felldoh Brian Jacques Martin the Warrior A young red squirrel.
Jess Squirrel Brian Jacques Redwall & Mattimeo A red squirrel who is an excellent climber.
Morwenna Robin Jarvis The Oaken Throne An evil black squirrel who betrayed the Starwife, queen of the squirrels, and allowed enemies to attack the realm of Greenreach.
Perri Felix Salten Perri A female red squirrel who lives in the forest.
Ranguvar Foeseeker Brian Jacques The Legend of Luke A female black squirrel who is a berserker.
Rufe Brush Brian Jacques Mariel of Redwall & The Bellmaker A young red squirrel who is somewhat taciturn, but proves to be a hero.
Ruro Brian Jacques Lord Brocktree A female squirrel who is part of a tribe that speaks using archaic words.
Russa Nodrey Brian Jacques The Long Patrol A nomadic female red squirrel.
Samkim Brian Jacques Salamandastron A young squirrel who is fond of archery. He goes on a quest to recover a legendary sword that has been stolen from the abbey where he lives.
Miss Suzy Squirrel Miriam Young Miss Suzy A brown squirrel who loves to cook and clean. She is evicted by a gang of red squirrels but her newfound friends eventually help her out.
Sarobando Brian Jacques Loamhedge An older female squirrel who travels with her otter friend Bragoon.
Scaredy Squirrel Mélanie Watt Scaredy Squirrel Scaredy is inevitably faced with the fears he tries so hard to avoid, eventually learning that it is not as bad as he initially imagined. However, he only slightly alters his strict daily routines after these experiences. Adapted into a TV series.
The Starwife Robin Jarvis The Deptford Mice An ancient and wise black squirrel who wields celestial magic and reigns over a colony of squirrels in Greenwich Park.
Squirrel Pat Miller Squirrel's New Year's Resolution A young squirrel who finds out about New Year's resolution.
Squirrel Nutkin Beatrix Potter The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin A red squirrel, who gets on others nerves and goes too far when he annoys Old Brown almost getting killed.
Timmy Tiptoes Beatrix Potter The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes A grey squirrel, who gets into a bad situation when he is wrongly accused of stealing and hoarding the wood's nuts.
Ysabelle Robin Jarvis The Oaken Throne A black squirrel princess who must embark on a dangerous journey to claim the throne.

Mice

Character/s Author Work Notes
Albert Eleanor May Mouse Math series A playful mouse who spends time with his sister Wanda.
Algernon Daniel Keyes Flowers for Algernon A laboratory mouse who has undergone surgery to increase his intelligence by artificial means.
Amos William Steig Amos and Boris An adventurous mouse who loves the sea and becomes friends with a whale named Boris.
Anatole Eve Titus Anatole (1956) A mouse who lives in a mouse village outside Paris and is determined to prove humans wrong in regarding mice as villainous.
Angelina Mouseling Katharine Holabird Angelina Ballerina A young ballet dancer who has many great times and sometimes mishaps with her best friend Alice.
Arthur and Humphrey Graham Oakley The Church Mice series The two mice are the protagonists, along with Sampson the cat, in the series, which take place in and around a church in the fictional town of Whortlethope, England.
Audrey Brown Robin Jarvis The Deptford Mice A mouse girl whose search for her missing father leads her into the sewers where she must defeat an evil rat god.
Basil of Baker Street Eve Titus Basil of Baker Street A private detective mouse who lives in Sherlock Holmes's cellar.
Bernard and Deborah De Soto William Steig Doctor De Soto Professional dentists. Being mice, they refuse to treat animals dangerous to mice, with the exception of a suffering fox.
Bianca and Bernard Margery Sharp The Rescuers Members of the 'Mouse Prisoner's Aid Society' assigned to rescue and cheer up poor imprisoned people in distress.
Big Bad Mouse Julia Donaldson The Gruffalo A cunning mouse who scares away all his predators with a made-up story about the Gruffalo but then finds the monster is real.
Charles Tim Davis Mice of the Herring Bone, Mice of the Nine Lives, Mice of the Seven Seas, Mice of the Westing Wind - Book 1, Mice of the Westing Wind - Book 2 With his friend, Oliver, Charles joins a feline navy ship to save Her Majesty's treasure from a band of sea dogs.
Christopher William Wise Christopher Mouse: The Tale of a Small Traveler A domesticated mouse, who becomes an intrepid explorer, braving danger along the way.
The Cranston Family Richard Peck Secrets at Sea Made out of Helena, Louise, Beatrice, Lamont, and their later parents and sisters Vicky and Alice.
Despereaux Tilling Kate DiCamillo The Tale of Despereaux A castle-mouse and the only living mouse of his mother's last litter. Named for the despairs and sadnesses of that time, Despereaux is an oddball among the mouse community from birth, as he is born with a small body, huge ears, and open eyes.
Frankie and Benjy Douglas Adams Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy Two members of the species which had ordered the Magratheans to construct planet Earth
Geronimo Stilton Edizioni Piemme Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye A nervous, mild-mannered mouse who would like nothing better than to live a quiet life, but he keeps getting involved in far-away adventures with his relatives.
Hunca Munca & Tom Thumb Beatrix Potter The Tale of Two Bad Mice They both destroy a doll's house finding the food is inedible. But after a change of heart they fix the damage.
Jensen Jane Breskin Zalben Mousterpiece An art-loving mouse who proceeds to fill an empty museum exhibit with her own abstract art.
Johnny Town-Mouse and Timmy Willie Beatrix Potter The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse Johnny lives in town which proves to be too scary and too much for Timmy, while Timmy lives in the country which is too quiet and full of sudden surprises for Johnny.
Martin the Warrior Brian Jacques Mossflower, Martin the Warrior, & The Legend of Luke Martin, a young mouse, is the son of a warrior. In Martin the Warrior, Martin manages to escape from slavery at the hands of Badrang the Tyrant, and then returns to take back his father's stolen sword and put an end to Badrang forever. Martin's further adventures are chronicled in the other two books.
Mary Mouse Enid Blyton Mary Mouse A mouse exiled from her mousehole and becomes a maid at the dolls' house, employed by Sailor Doll.
Matthias Brian Jacques Redwall & Mattimeo A young, clumsy mouse who eventually becomes a great warrior and defeats the evil rat Cluny the Scourge.
Max Hanne Türk Max the Mouse series A grey mouse, who has many domestic adventures, often with his beloved cat-tiger toy. He was created in 1982. The book series were then adapted into a German TV Series in 1987 titled "Philipp die Maus" plus an up-to-date magazine series.
Milo Marcus Pfister Milo and the Magical Stones A mischievous little mouse, who discovers a magic glowing stone which starts up a hunt for more of these stones.
Mus Paul Kidd Mus of Kerbridge A mouse made intelligent by a brutal spell and becomes adventurous on a quest in Kerbridge.
Maddie Judith Moria Grace Butterfield Mouse in the Penthouse A young shy and timid mouse who travels to portals which lands her in Hollywood as a film director.
Mrs. Frisby Robert C. O'Brien Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH A widowed field mouse who seeks the aid of a group of former laboratory rats in rescuing her home from destruction by a farmer's plow.[1]
Mouse Arnold Lobel Mouse Soup A brown mouse, very into literature who manages to trick his way out of Weasel's soup pot by telling him stories as a part of his Mouse Soup recipe.
Mr. Jingles Stephen King The Green Mile A mouse whom Del teaches various tricks.
Miggs Family Miriam Norton The Kitten Who Thought He Was A Mouse The family consists of the mother, father, Lester and his two sisters. They then adopt and raise an abandoned kitten Lester named Mickey.
The Mouse King E.T.A. Hoffmann "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" The seven-headed mouse king who leads his mouse army in an epic battle against the Nutcracker and the toys.
Nora Rosemary Wells Noisy Nora The middle child of her family, who makes noise to get some attention.
Oliver Tim Davis Mice of the Herring Bone, Mice of the Nine Lives, Mice of the Seven Seas, Mice of the Westing Wind - Book 1, Mice of the Westing Wind - Book 2 A reluctant hero, Oliver uses his common sense to defeat a band of scurvy sea dogs.
Ralph Beverly Cleary The Mouse and the Motorcycle A mouse who lives in the run-down Mountain View Inn, and takes interest in a boy's toy motorcycle.
Reepicheep C. S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia A brave and gallant mouse.
Ricky Ricotta Dav Pilkey Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot series The eponymous protagonist, who befriends a robot made by Dr. Stink McNasty.
Sam Daniel Kirk Library Mouse A mouse who loves reading and is inspired to write his own books.
Santa Mouse Michael Brown Santa Mouse Becomes Santa's little helper on Christmas Eve.
Sheila Rae Kevin Henkes Sheila Rae, the Brave A fearless but reckless sort who brags on about her bravery until her little sister Louise gets the better of her.
Snips A. J. Macgregor The Story of Snips - A Very Naughty Mouse A mischievous mouse who is prone to getting in trouble and runs away to seek a better life.
Dr. Stinky McNasty Dav Pilkey Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot The book's main antagonist. He creates the titular robot in order to destroy the city of Squeakyville, but it refuses to obey his commands.
Stuart Little E. B. White Stuart Little A white mouse adopted by the Little family in New York City.
Tailoring Mice Beatrix Potter The Tailor of Gloucester They live in tunnels between the tailor's workshop and house. After he rescues them from Simkins, they repay him by finishing a wedding coat while he is ill in bed.
Mrs. Tittlemouse Beatrix Potter The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse A terribly tidy mouse who doesn't like even specks of dirty feet in her house.
Vera Marjolein Bastin Vera the Mouse A sweet and feminine Dutch country mouse

Rats

This section exclusively lists all rats (domestic, barn, wharf and pack rats alike).

Character/s Author Work Notes
Ben Stephen Gilbert Ratman's Notebooks A menacing rat featured in this 1968 horror novel; also appears in the film adaptation Willard, the 2003 remake Willard, and the sequel Ben.
Dangerous Beans Terry Pratchett The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents A near-blind albino rat with a guru-like guidance to the rats and the only one who can withstand Spider's mind control.
Death of Rats Terry Pratchett Hogfather A rodent version of Death, who came into being when Death disappears during Reaper Man. Instead of a human skeleton, Death of Rats possesses a rodent skeleton.
King Rat China Miéville King Rat Fallen king of the rats, father of Saul, and locked into a centuries long feud with the Piper.
Lariska Eduard Uspenskiy Cheburashka The Old Lady Shapoklyak's pet rat, whom she keeps in her purse.
Malcolm W. H. Beck Malcom at Midnight A class pet rat, who is prejudiced as a menace by the Midnight Academy until he proves them wrong by saving a kidnapped Iguana.
Melchisedec Frances Hodgeson Burnett A Little Princess A domestic rat whom Sara Crewe befriends during her time as a servant at Miss Minchin's Seminary; she calls him "a Bastille rat sent to be my friend".[2][3]
Nicodemus Robert C. O'Brien Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Leader of the rats of NIMH.
Oprah Jay Black Guttersnipe Oversized yet elusive wharf rat and nemesis of antiheroic protagonist, exterminator John Richter.
Professor Ratigan Eve Titus Basil of Baker Street Basil's archenemy and a master criminal.
Ratine Jules Verne Adventures of the Rat Family Heroine of the rat family, who sets to undo the evil magician Gardafour's wicked spells.
Ratty Lynne Jonell Emmy and the Rat series Emmy's closest friend, who comforts the girl at stressful times and has amazing powers.[4]
Ripred Suzanne Collins The Underland Chronicles Main character, giant rat (gnawer), leader of the rat resistance
Samuel Whiskers & Anna Maria Beatrix Potter The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or The Roly-Poly Pudding A rat couple who try to make Tom Kitten into a pudding until they are driven away by John Joiner.
Scabbers J.K. Rowling Harry Potter series Ron Weasley's pet rat.
Scrabble Louisa May Alcott Little Women Pet rat of the March sisters.
Socrates Stephen Gilbert Ratman's Notebooks A white rat who is befriended, and used for evil, in this 1968 horror novel; also appears in the film adaptation Willard and the 2003 remake Willard.
Surfer Paul Zindel Rats A white pet of Sarah and Michael McGraw who becomes the leader of the mutant rats and introduces them to music and dance.
Templeton E. B. White Charlotte's Web A barnyard rat who unwillingly helps Wilbur and cares more about eating things.
Walter Barbara Wersba Walter: The Story of a Rat A literate rat who tries to get to know Miss Pomeroy who shares a lot in common with him.
Whisker Cameron Stelzer Pie Rats: The Forgotten Map A circus rat, originally named Wentworth Winterbottom, who becomes a Pie Rat and a member of Captain Black Rat's crew aboard the Apple Pie and is renamed Whisker.
The Other Mr Bobo Neil Gaiman Coraline A cluster of rats brought together to create a copy of Mr Bobo.

Other

Character/s Species Author Work Notes
Mr. and Mrs. Beaver Beaver C. S. Lewis The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Beaver couple who assist the Pevensie children in Narnia.
Chilawee and Chikanee Beaver Grey Owl The Adventures of Sajo and her Beaver People Two young beavers, Chilawee and Chikanee, adopted by Sajo, an Ojibwe First Nations girl.
Chip Chip Chipmunk Norman Wright Chip Chip An adventurous chipmunk who would rather play than go to school. Illustrations by Nino Carbe[5]
Chippy Hackee Chipmunk Beatrix Potter The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes Timmy Tiptoes' saviour in the nut theft riot.
Dormouse Dormouse Lewis Carroll Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Spends most of his time sleeping and occasionally cutting in conversations without paying attention.
Ereth Porcupine Avi Poppy A porcupine who is the best friend of the deer mouse Poppy.
Olga da Polga Guinea pig Michael Bond The Tales of Olga da Polga series Olga was named after the Bond family's real guinea pig.
Paddy the Beaver Beaver Thornton Burgess The Adventures of Paddy the Beaver An industrious beaver who builds a dam, a lodge, and a canal in the Green Forest.
Poppy Peromyscus Avi Poppy A deer mouse[6] who loves dancing. She shows bravery when she takes it upon herself to find out the truth behind Ocax and save her family.
Porcupine Porcupine Meg Tilly Porcupine An unnamed porcupine represents the tough outside and kind heart of the narrator, Jacqueline, who faces difficult times when her father dies and her mother abandons her and her two younger siblings. In the final scene, she meets and feeds the wild porcupine.[7]
Ratty European water vole Kenneth Grahame The Wind in the Willows A generous and understanding good friend of Mole, but has many doubts about Mr. Toad.
Sulu Hamster Dav Pilkey Captain Underpants Melvin Sneedly's pet hamster whom he combined with a bionic robot. He is later adopted by George and Harold.
Humphrey Hamster Betty G. Birney Humphrey series Humphrey, the narrator, is a smart hamster who, unbeknownst to those he meets and befriends, learns from the world around him, just outside his cage.

References

  1. ^ Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
  2. ^ Paterson, Katherine (February 2000). "The Child in the Attic". National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance / Ohio State University Children's Literature Festival. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2014. She gives the rat the name Melchisedec. Perhaps this is Mrs. Burnett's joke, as Melchisedec was a kingly high priest in the book of Genesis to whom, we are told, the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of all he possessed. Sara shares her crumbs with the rat, which is a large percentage of what she possesses.
  3. ^ Gruner, Elizabeth Rose (1998). "Cinderella, Marie Antoinette, and Sara: Roles and Role Models in A Little Princess". The Lion and the Unicorn. 22 (2). Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press: 163–187. Retrieved November 21, 2014. Her status as orphan is of course central to the novel's plot; it is also subtly underscored in her naming of the rat Melchisedec, whose Biblical namesake is famously "without father, without mother, without descent" (Hebrews 7:3).
  4. ^ "Lynne Jonell Novels". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  5. ^ "Nino Carbe". 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  6. ^ Barrett, Terry L. (2008). "Aesthetic Landscapes of the Golden Mouse". In Gary W. Barrett and George A. Feldhamer (ed.). The Golden Mouse: Ecology and Conservation. New York: Springer. p. 198. ISBN 978-0-387-33665-7. A Harper Trophy, revised edition of the 1995 publication of Poppy ... included ... Ragweed, a golden mouse (O. nuttalli) having dialogue with Poppy, a deer mouse (Peromyscus manipulatus)...
  7. ^ Tilly, Meg (2007). Porcupine. Tundra Books. ISBN 978-0-88776-810-1. Retrieved November 21, 2014.