Rats and mice are both part of the rodent family and have a lot of similar features. If either species gets into your home, they both can cause a significant amount of damage, but it’s good to be able to identify which one you are dealing with. Here are some of the major differences between rats and mice.
Size
Clik here to view.
Rats are significantly bigger than mice, ranging from 7 to 9 inches in length on average.
One of the main differences between rats and mice is their size. This is the easiest way to determine what you are dealing with, especially because these rodents move so quickly that it’s hard to get close to them to make out more specific features. Mice typically range from two to four inches in length, while rats are seven to nine inches. It’s easy to tell the difference when these rodents are adults, but baby rats can look similar to an adult mouse.
Rats are significantly bigger than mice, ranging from 7 to 9 inches in length on average.
Behavior
Clik here to view.
Mice are typically more curious and explorative than rats, making it easier to catch them in traps.
Though mice are smaller in size, they are surprisingly more bold than rats. Mice are more likely to come out and explore new things, which means it can be easier to catch them in a trap. Rats, however, live in fear, so they are cautious of new things rather than being curious. They will likely avoid a trap, making them harder to catch. Mice are better at climbing than rats and can maneuver their way into attics and smaller spaces, while rats typically stay on lower levels such as the basement.
Appearance
Clik here to view.
Mice (above) have large, floppy ears that stand out from their body. Rats (below) have long, scaly, hairless tails.
Mice and rats have similar color patterns, but there are other features that separate the two. Mice have thin, triangular noses, while rats noises are bigger and wider. Rats have ears that fit their body, but mice have large, floppy ears that stand out. Both mice and rats have long tails, but mice tails are thinner and have hair, while rats have scaly, hairless tails.
Is There Mice or Rats in Your Home? Contact Shumaker Animal Control Today!
If you need help dealing with a pest problem on your property, call the experts at Shumaker Animal Control to deal with the problem for you.
Our experienced team will take care of the problem in a timely manner, ensuring that you, your home and pets are not in any danger.
At Shumaker Animal Control, we are a family-owned business who cares about the safety of you and your family but also about the well-being of the animals themselves. All of our trapping and control methods are humane, as we never try to hurt the angry or scared animal.
Call us at 443-854-8072 or view the online website at https://www.shumakeranimalremoval.com/ for more information.
The post Rats vs. Mice: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Shumaker Animal Control.