The biggest difference is their size. A mouse is much smaller than a rat. In fact, a large mouse is still about half the length of an average rat. Secondly, rats have longer tails than mice. Furthermore, a rat’s tail is thicker than a mouse’s tail. Another difference between these two animals has to do with the size and shape of their poop. Learn more about the differences between a mouse and a rat so you can recognize one when you see it.
Comparing Mouse vs Rat
The 5 Key Differences Between a Mouse and a Rat
Physical Size
The most noticeable difference between a mouse and a rat is a mouse is smaller. The body of a mouse can measure 3 to 4 inches in length. And, a mouse’s tail is equal in length to its body. Alternatively, an adult rat’s body is about 9 to 11 inches long with a tail measuring 7 to 9 inches. A mouse can weigh up to 3 ounces making it a lot lighter than a rat at 1.5 pounds.
Number of Species
Another notable difference between a mouse and a rat relates to the number of species. A comparison shows there are many more species of mouse. In fact, there are hundreds of species of mice and 60 species of rat.Some species of mouse include:
House mouseDeer mouseWhite-footed mouseStriped field mouse
Some species of rat include:
Brown ratHouse ratAustralian swamp ratRice-Field rat
Rat Poop vs. Mouse Poop
Rat poop and mouse poop have different appearances. This is an easy way for someone to tell which type of rodent they have in their house without seeing the animal. Rat poop is larger than mouse poop. Rat poop is black with an elongated oval shape measuring about ¾ of an inch. It can leave behind up to 50 droppings. Alternatively, mouse poop looks like a black grain of rice about ¼ inch long. They can leave as many as 100 droppings at one time.
Tail Appearance
Mice and rats have different types of tails. A mouse tail is thin, long, and covered with hair. The hair on its tail is usually the same color as its body. A rat’s tail is long, thick, and scaly. A rat’s tail is hairless.
Diet
The diet of each of these rodents is another difference that sets them apart. Rats are known to eat almost anything. They go through the trash and eat leftover sandwiches, fruit, eggs, meat, and more. Also, rats may eat plants and seeds. This makes it easy for a rat to find food. A mouse eats seeds, fruit, and plants. They may nibble on bread crumbs, but they don’t have as much on the menu as rats!
Dealing with Mice and Rats as Pests
While it’s beneficial to better understand wild animals, they can still pose problems for humans, and at times, should not be allowed to share living quarters. An interesting fact about laying traps for mice or rats is that the two animals have different behaviors when encountering one. Mice are curious creatures, so will be not be afraid to approach a newly laid trap in their quest to figure out what the contraption is. Rats, on the other hand, are more cautious. If you are wanting to lay rat traps in your house, it’s best to first lay the trap out without setting it. When the rat checks it out and finds that it brings no harm, it will more likely be caught once the trap is actually set. When trying to rid your home of rats, it’s important to inspect your house to figure out where they are, sanitize areas where you find them as best as possible, and set up exclusion tactics. Rats are easier to exclude from a home than mice, as they are bigger. All openings in your house greater than 1/4″ should be sealed. The next step would be setting traps or baiting them. Some techniques for getting rid of mice include using essential oils like peppermint or clove oil soaked in cotton balls, strategically placed. Getting a pet cat is also an option. Packing tight spaces that mice could enter with steel wool is another tactic that can help, or you can block those spaces with duct tape. And of course, trapping or baiting is another way to rid your house of wild mice.
Up Next…
How Many Rats Are In The World? If you’re curious about how many rats are infesting our planet, then find out in this informative piece.Are Rabbits (Bunnies) Rodents? Could that adorable little bunny actually be in the same family as a rat? Read on to learn if rabbits are members of the rodent family.10 Incredible Mouse Facts Mice have some fascinating qualities, many of which you may not be aware of. Learn more about mice in this interesting read.
Take one look at these two animals and you’ll see a mouse is smaller than a rat. A mouse is shorter in length and weighs less than a rat. Also, while a mouse has a thin tail covered with hair, a rat has a thick hairless tail with a scaly texture. Study a mouse’s face and you’ll notice its ears are very large in proportion to its head. A rat’s ears are smaller and are more proportioned to its head. Mouse and rat poop have different appearances. Mouse poop is smaller and rice-shaped whereas rat poop is large with an elongated oval shape. A rat has a wide variety of things it can eat including vegetables, meat, bread, and other items in a garbage can. A mouse’s diet is more limited than a rat’s diet. It can eat seeds, plants, grain, and some small items from a tipped-over garbage can. Are rats worse than mice? Not necessarily. Both of these rodents can get into a home and chew electrical wires causing damage and maybe even a fire. Finding a nest full of wild baby mice or baby rats in a home is equally unsettling. Due to their size, rats are usually considered a little more threatening than mice. But some owners of pet mice and rats may insist that both of these rodents have cute faces! Does a mouse turn into a rat? No, a baby mouse doesn’t grow into a rat. A mouse and a rat are two different types of rodents.
