How do mice differ from rats in appearance? - briefly
Mice are smaller, with slender bodies, proportionally large ears, a pointed snout, and a thin, hairless tail roughly equal to body length. Rats are larger, with robust bodies, relatively smaller ears, a blunt snout, and a thick, hair‑covered tail that is shorter than the body.
How do mice differ from rats in appearance? - in detail
Mice are markedly smaller than rats. Typical body length ranges from 6 to 10 cm, while rats commonly measure 20 to 25 cm. Corresponding weight differs by an order of magnitude: mice weigh 15–30 g, rats 250–500 g.
Head morphology distinguishes the two groups. Mice possess proportionally larger ears relative to skull size, a pointed snout, and relatively larger eyes. Rats exhibit smaller ears, a blunter snout, and eyes that appear proportionally reduced.
Fur coloration shows consistent patterns. Common mouse coat colors include gray, brown, and white, often with a uniform hue across the body. Rat coats display broader variation—brown, black, white, and spotted patterns—frequently with a darker dorsal stripe.
Tail characteristics provide reliable identification cues. Mouse tails are slender, approximately equal in length to the body, and sparsely haired. Rat tails are thicker, often longer than the body, and typically feature sparse to moderate hair coverage, sometimes with a visible scale pattern.
Foot structure further separates the species. Mice have smaller hind feet with five toes, adapted for agile climbing. Rats possess larger hind feet, also with five toes, but with more robust pads suited for powerful locomotion.
Key visual distinctions:
- Size: mice 6–10 cm, rats 20–25 cm.
- Ear proportion: mice larger relative to head, rats smaller.
- Snout shape: mice pointed, rats blunt.
- Tail: mice slender and hairless, rats thicker and partially haired.
- Coat variety: mice limited palette, rats broader range with possible dorsal stripe.
- Foot dimensions: mice smaller, rats larger.