Which is smaller: a mouse or a rat? - briefly
«A mouse typically measures 6–10 cm in body length, while a rat ranges from 15–20 cm.» «Thus, the mouse is the smaller of the two rodents.»
Which is smaller: a mouse or a rat? - in detail
A mouse is consistently smaller than a rat when measured by length, weight, and body mass.
Typical adult house mouse (Mus musculus) dimensions:
- Head‑to‑body length: 7–10 cm
- Tail length: 5–10 cm
- Weight: 15–30 g
Typical adult Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) dimensions:
- Head‑to‑body length: 20–25 cm
- Tail length: 18–25 cm
- Weight: 250–500 g
The size disparity results from species‑specific growth patterns and ecological niches. Mice occupy environments that favor agility and low resource consumption, while rats exploit larger habitats and require greater muscular development for burrowing and foraging.
Key comparative points:
- Linear dimensions: rat body length exceeds mouse length by roughly threefold.
- Tail proportion: rat tail length is comparable to its body, whereas mouse tail may be shorter or equal.
- Mass: rat weight surpasses mouse weight by an order of magnitude.
Thus, any direct measurement confirms the mouse as the smaller rodent.