What sensory ability is highly developed in rodents that influences their behavior?

Rodents possess a highly developed sense of smell, which plays a crucial role in their behavior, survival, and interaction with their environment. This acute olfactory ability allows them to detect food sources, identify potential predators, communicate with other members of their species through pheromones, and navigate their surroundings effectively. The reliance on scent helps rodents find mates, locate nesting materials, and avoid danger. Their olfactory system is so advanced that they can distinguish between different scents and even recall specific odors associated with food or threats from the past.

While other senses, such as sight and taste, also contribute to a rodent's behavior, they are not as critical as the sense of smell. Rodents are generally more visually impaired, particularly in low-light conditions, which further emphasizes their dependence on olfactory cues for day-to-day activities. The sensitivity to light is not a significant factor in influencing their behavior compared to their olfactory capabilities. Thus, the remarkable sense of smell is a defining characteristic that shapes how rodents engage with their environment.