How can you determine whether it is a mole or a rat? - briefly
Examine size, fur texture, and tail: moles are small (5‑7 cm), have velvety fur, and lack a visible tail, while rats are larger (15‑20 cm), possess coarse hair and a long, hair‑covered tail. Additionally, moles create shallow tunnel networks underground, whereas rats leave surface runways and droppings.
How can you determine whether it is a mole or a rat? - in detail
Distinguishing a mole from a rat requires observation of physical traits, activity patterns, and environmental clues.
Moles are small, cylindrical mammals with velvety fur that lies flat against the body. Their eyes are reduced, ears are hidden, and they possess powerful forelimbs ending in broad, spade‑shaped paws for digging. Typical length ranges from 12 to 20 cm, and weight stays below 150 g. Their tunnels appear as shallow, fan‑shaped mounds of soil near the surface, often accompanied by raised ridges that follow a regular grid.
Rats are larger rodents with coarse fur, visible eyes, and external ears. They have elongated bodies, a tail nearly equal to body length, and sharp incisors. Adult rats measure 20–30 cm in body length and weigh 200–300 g. Burrows are deep, irregular, and may include nesting chambers. Surface signs include gnaw marks on wood or plastic, greasy droppings, and distinct, irregular paths.
Key identifiers:
- Size and weight: moles < 150 g; rats ≈ 200–300 g.
- Fur texture: velvety vs. coarse.
- Limbs: spade‑like forefeet for digging vs. standard rodent paws.
- Eyes and ears: vestigial in moles, prominent in rats.
- Tail: short, hidden in moles; long, visible in rats.
- Tunnel structure: shallow, uniform mounds vs. deep, chaotic burrows.
- Droppings: small, white, pellet‑shaped for moles; larger, dark, cylindrical for rats.
- Damage type: soil displacement and plant root disturbance for moles; gnawed wires, food containers, and contaminated surfaces for rats.
Behavioral differences reinforce identification. Moles remain underground, emerging only at night to feed on earthworms and insects. They leave no visible surface tracks. Rats are nocturnal foragers that travel above ground, leaving footprints and scurrying along walls and pipes.
When uncertainty persists, capture a specimen for direct examination or set up a motion‑activated camera at tunnel entrances. Laboratory analysis of fur samples, skeletal features, or DNA can provide definitive confirmation.