Rodents Gnawing Rock?

[Burko]

I'm always walking past this rock in the woods and it's intrigued me enough to take a picture and post it here.
I'm pretty sure that's teeth marks on it, but why? Sharpening, mineral deposits, territory marking?

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Burko

I'm pretty sure that's teeth marks on it, but why? Sharpening, mineral deposits, territory marking?

Rodents teeth continually grow, so if they didnt wear them down they would eventually curl right round into the mouth and stop them feeding.

[Burko]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Rodents teeth continually grow, so if they didnt wear them down they would eventually curl right round into the mouth and stop them feeding.

Aha cheers, that's what I meant by 'sharpening' I should've put 'blunting' doh!
Would it be possible for me to tell which rodent if I go back to look at it closely?

[htcdude]

I used to breed rabbits for a bit and it was a common problem with some of their teeth growing too fast.

Nige