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How to Tell Mice and Rats Apart

House Mouse vs. Rat Identification

House Mouse vs. Rat Identification

Mice

  • Size: House mice measure 12 to 20 cm in length, including the tail, and weigh 12 to 30 grams.

  • Color: They may be white, brown or grey in color.

  • Head: Their snouts are triangular and feature long whiskers.

  • Tails: Mice have large, floppy ears and long, thin, hairy tails.

These rodents can be found throughout the world in a variety of climates and environments. They can live up to six years in captivity though most naturally live less than a year. Mice are nocturnal, timid, social and territorial in nature. Read all about mice.

Illustration of House Mouse

Illustration of House Mouse

Rats

  • Size: Rats are medium-sized to large rodents. However, rats may grow to be as long as 40 cm or more and weigh considerably more than mice.

  • Color: Their coats are white, gray, brown or black in color and are often soiled enough to leave grease marks on touched surfaces.

  • Head: The snout of the rat is more blunt than that of the mouse.

  • Tails: Long tails that are commonly hairless and scaly.

Like mice, these rodents are also found throughout the world, in varying environments. They are also nocturnal in nature. Read all about rats.

Roof Rat Illustration

Roof Rat Illustration

Resources

Dig Deeper on Mice

What do Mice Eat? | Mouse Food Sources

Where do mice go in winter?

House Mice Identification and Control | Rodent Removal

House mouse illustration

Brown Mice Facts & Information

Image coming soon

How to Identify and Get Rid of Black Mice

Image coming soon

What Can Mice Climb Up | Rodent Removal

Differences Between Field Mouse vs. House Mouse

What Do Deer Mice Look Like | Get Rid of Deer Mice

Deer mouse illustration

What Diseases Can Mice and Rodents Spread?

What are the Differences Between Mice & Rats?

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