Are Rats Better Than Mice?

When it comes to size and intelligence, rats and mice are pretty close, but they have some differences. For one, rats are much larger and have a larger front teeth compared to mice. Mice have tiny teeth that are almost impossible to see, and they also have poor eyesight. Another big difference is in heart rate – mice have a heart rate of 632 beats per minute, while rats’ heart rates are 330 to 480.

Rats are usually cheaper than mice, and they are also better for a snake’s diet. Rats, in particular, are much easier to digest than mice. However, rats are not ideal for small snakes. A single snake can eat three or four mice at a time. Snakes are also known to be more likely to enter buildings due to their dark, cool, and damp conditions. Several ways are available to deter snakes from entering a home, such as installing traps in basements and crawl spaces.

Rats also have larger, coarser fur than mice. They also have larger heads and feet. Norway rats are the most common rats in the U.S. and are more difficult to control. To control them, you need to place many small baiting points in your home. Their droppings are shaped like capsules. In addition, rats are more likely to leave grease marks on surfaces than mice.