How Are Rats and Mice Different?
WouterDuring the Paleocene, rodents first appear in the fossil record. They were most likely living in Asia, but they later expanded to North America. Rats, which are closely related to mice, descended from a group of animals called anagalids. This group ultimately gave rise to the Lagomorpha.
Rats and mice are both rodents, but they have different characteristics. Rats are much larger than mice. Their bodies are a bit shorter than mice’s, and their tails are thicker and longer. Both species of mice and rats spread their urine while walking, marking their territories.
The main difference between rats and mice is that rats can kill mice while mice are prone to being eaten by rats. Mice, on the other hand, have a strong sense of self preservation and tend to give birth to fewer young when they smell rats. As such, it is important to identify the species when an infestation occurs.
Rats have a broad variety of potential food sources. While mice prefer cereals, fruit and nuts, and are more tolerant of vegetables, rats eat larger, moist foods such as pet foods, fish, and cheese. Rats also chew and consume wire mesh, cinder blocks, aluminum, and concrete. In addition, both rats and mice chew electrical wires and insulation.
Both species are similar in size and structure, but there are key differences between them. Rats are smaller than mice and are less likely to live longer. Rats can breed up to 2000 offspring per year.
