There are many types of rodents in the world, but two of the most common are rats and mice. Rats and mice look very similar, but there are some key differences between them that you should know. In this article, we will discuss these differences between rats and mice so you will know which rodents you are dealing with should you ever encounter one.
Rats and Mice: Aren’t they the same thing?
Technically, rats and mice are the same family of animals, which is known as Muridae. However, there are a few notable differences between these two creatures. The first difference you’ll notice is their size – rats are typically larger than mice. Rats can grow up to ten inches long, while mice only get up to six inches long.
How do you tell if its a rat or a mouse?
Rats may seem very similar to mice and they share a lot of the same characteristics, but there are a few physical differences you can look for to determine if you are dealing with a rat or mouse.
Physical Differences Between Mice and Rats
Size may be the most obvious difference between the two, but there are other physical differences between rats and mice. For example, mice have larger ears than rats, and rats have bigger feet that leave larger footprints.
Mice’s noses are also markedly pointed, while rats’ noses are blunt and round. Rats also have a much heavier head shape than mice. Their tails are also very different. Rats have thick and hairless tails that are shorter than the total length of the rat’s head and body while mice have long, thin tails that are hairy and scaly.
Here’s a quick summary of the physical differences between rats and mice:
Rats
- Adult rats have a body length of 6-18 inches or 16-40 cm including its tail.
- Their weight can range from 12 to 16 ounces or 150-340 grams
- Rats tail are shorter than mice, their tail is thicker, scaly, and hairless.
- Rats can be seen in most color of brown, gray, but most likely black.
- The nose shape of rat is more rounded and blunt than mice.
- Rats head shape is heavy, chunky, and blunt compared to that of a mouse which is small.
- The ears of rats are small in size relative to it’s head.
- Rats have big feet that leave big foot prints.
Mice
- Adult mouse can grow from 7 1/2 inches in length with the tail included.
- In which adult mice can sometimes be compared as juvenile rat.
- The weight of mouse is about a half ounce or 15 grams but they can weight up to 45 grams.
- Mice has long, thin, hairy, and scaly tail.
- The color of mouse is gray with white belly which some mice have different colors in their body.
- Mouse nose shape is pointed rather than rats which are blunt and round shaped nose.
- Mouse ears is large and pretty prominent when compare to rat’s ears.
Behavioral Differences
Aside from the physical differences, mice and rats also have different behavioral traits. Rats are very curious creatures and are always exploring their surroundings. They are also quite social and enjoy being around other rats. Mice, on the other hand, are much more cautious and timid than rats. They tend to stay away from other mice and prefer to be alone.
Mice will eat foods that are available at the source, but will usually not move food to store it for later, as they are small to haul food from one place to their nest. Rats, on the other hand, will eat food and then store it in their nest or other places they can access easily. Rats are larger and for their size, they are capable to haul more food than mice.
Mice also typically leave traces of them being there when they’ve raided a food source, such as scattered crumbs or footprints. Rats are neater and will clean up after themselves to prevent being detected.
Mice also urinate to mark their territory, and their urine has a strong ammonia-like smell. Rats leave no trace when they eat. They consume their food quickly and leave the area so that there is no evidence of them being there.
Reproduction Differences
Female mice can produce 300 offspring, even with their short 1.5 to 2.5 years of lifespan. Mice offspring can reach sexual maturity at the age of one month. The gestation period can be as long as 20 days, and the female mice’s litter size is between five to ten pups.
Rats take approximately three weeks to gestate their young ones, and the typical litter size is between eight and twelve pups. Rats’ offspring can reach sexual maturity at the age of two months old or as to say 3-4 months.
Lifespan Differences
Rats’ lifespan is approximately 1 to 3 years, while mice are less, around 1.5 to 2.5 years. Rats are larger and can live longer because they have bigger reserves of energy.
Rats also tend to be stronger so they survive harsh conditions easily than mice do. Mice on the other hand will only live for about six months if there is scarce food and they are constantly harassed by predators. Rats are able to live up to three years because they have better access to food and can also store it for later.
Diet Differences
Both mice and rats are omnivorous, but rats are more scavengers than mice. Mice diet can consists of up to 3g of food per day, while rats’ diet can go up to 15-30g of food per day.
Mice will survive on 3 ml of water per day while rats need up to 60 ml of water per day. Rats are able to consume more food than mice because they are larger in size, and their food preference is mostly grains, fruits, and vegetables. The common house mouse prefers cereals, grains, and some processed foods while the Norway rat will eat almost anything.
Habitat Differences
Rats can usually be seen in-ground and burrows, they are also spotted near buildings, sewers, and outdoors. Rats can also nest in a tree, especially in woodlands. Rats are better at adapting to new environments than mice are. Rats can survive in a variety of habitats because they are scavengers and can get food from different places.
Mice tend to live in more rural areas, such as farms and agricultural fields. They are also common around homes that have access to food sources like garbage cans or pet bowls.
Rat and Mouse Dropping Differences
Mice and rat droppings are also quite distinct when you know what to look for. Brown rat droppings are about the size of a raisin, and they have a blunt end. Mouse droppings, on the other hand, are smaller than rat droppings and have a pointed end. Mice droppings also tend to be more numerous than rat droppings.
Do Mice Grow into Rats?
Mice do not grow into rats as they are completely different species. Mice are from the family Muridae while rats are from the family Murinae. They share a lot of common characteristics but there are still some physical and behavioral differences between the two.
Why is it important to know the difference between a rat and a mouse?
Knowing the difference between a rat and a house mouse is important because it can help you identify which pest you are dealing with. It can also help you understand how to get rid of them and what kind of damage they might be doing in your home or office. Mice and rats both carry diseases, so it is important to take precautions when getting rid of either of them.
The roof rat, brown rat (Norway rat), all look basically the same. And while a young rat might look like an adult mouse, there are some physical and behavioral differences you can look for to help identify which pest you’re dealing with. Rats like the common brown rats (Norway rats) are usually caught using cages and baited traps, while mice can be caught with a number of different types of traps, from snap traps to glue boards.
How to Prevent Rats and Mice From Entering Your Home
Like other pests, mice and rats are attracted to places where they can find shelter and food. You can reduce the chances of them entering your home by sealing up any cracks or holes in your walls, floors, or ceilings. Make sure that all of your food is stored in airtight containers and keep trash cans clean and sealed. If you have a pet, make sure their food is not left out overnight.
By making sure that your home or place of business is as inhospitable to rats and mice as possible, you can discourage them from coming around in the first place. If you do find evidence of rats or mice, it is usually best to call in professional help. Seeing a single rodent usually means there is more hiding somewhere and they need to be eliminated before they can do any more damage.
Need Help With Your Rodent Problem?
If you have rodents in your home or business and they are causing quite a bit of damage, you may want to call a professional pest control company for help. AAAC Wildlife Removal can identify the rodent and help you get rid of it quickly and effectively. We offer a wide range of services for both residential and commercial customers, so please give us a call today!
Conclusion
Rats and mice are as distinct as they come. If you know what to look for, it is easy to tell the two rodents apart. Knowing whether you are dealing with a rat or a mouse is important because it will let you take the appropriate steps to get rid of them and even prevent them from coming back. If you are having a rodent problem, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We will be more than happy to help!
Originally published on https://aaacwildliferemoval.com/blog/rats/difference-between-a-rat-and-a-mouse/
