Who has larger ears, a rat or a mouse? - briefly
Rats have noticeably larger ears than mice; a typical rat ear measures about 12–15 mm, while a mouse ear is roughly 8–10 mm. This greater surface area improves the rat’s auditory sensitivity.
Who has larger ears, a rat or a mouse? - in detail
Rats have noticeably larger external ears than mice. Measurements from adult specimens show average ear‑pinna lengths of 15–20 mm in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) compared with 7–10 mm in common house mice (Mus musculus). The surface area of rat ears typically exceeds that of mice by roughly twofold, providing a greater capacity for heat dissipation and acoustic reception.
Key comparative data:
- Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus)
- Ear‑pinna length: 15–20 mm
- Surface area: 120–150 mm²
- Weight: 250–300 g
- House mouse (Mus musculus)
- Ear‑pinna length: 7–10 mm
- Surface area: 45–60 mm²
- Weight: 20–30 g
The size disparity persists across related species. For example, the black rat (Rattus rattus) exhibits ear lengths of 14–18 mm, while the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) reaches 9–12 mm, still smaller than typical rat measurements.
Functional implications:
- Larger pinnae improve low‑frequency sound detection, advantageous for rats that communicate over longer distances.
- Increased ear surface assists in thermoregulation for the higher metabolic demands of larger rodents.
Methodology for obtaining these figures includes caliper measurement of the pinna from base to tip and digital imaging to calculate surface area. Consistency across multiple studies confirms that rats possess the larger ears.