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Rats vs. Mice — What’s The Difference?

YESpestpros • June 25, 2021

Are you hearing sounds around the house all through the night? Scratching, thumping, and tiny feet scurrying around? If, in addition to this, you’re finding little black pellets lying around, then you’re most likely looking at a rodent problem.

A rodent problem will make anyone uneasy, but what kind of rodent are you dealing with? Many people use the words rat or mouse interchangeably, but the truth is that they aren’t the same. So let’s understand some of the main differences between rats and mice.

What is The Difference Between Rats and Mice

It’s vital to know the difference between a rat and a mouse because identifying the rodents crawling around your home will help you begin to figure out how to get rid of them.


The main differences when comparing rats vs mice include:

  • Size and weight
  • Appearance
  • Type of droppings
  • Behavior

Below, we will consider the main factors that will help you to identify the differences between rats and mice.

Size and Weight Between Rats and Mice

When it comes to the size of a rat and a mouse, the difference is pretty significant. Mice are generally smaller in body length compared to rats. Since rats are bigger, naturally, their tails are longer, measuring around seven to nine inches. But keep in mind that the mouse has a longer tail in proportion to its body length compared to rats.

Since mice are smaller, they typically weigh between half an ounce to three ounces. However, rats can weigh anywhere from 12 to 24 ounces.

Appearance Differences

While none of us would want to take the time to analyze the physical features of your unwanted guest, there are many differences. One difference is in the nose because rats have a more blunt snout compared to mice. You can also take a look at the ears and tail of your rodent. Rats are generally medium sized to large while mice are considerably smaller. So, if you are surprised by the sheer size of the pest in your home or business, it is probably a rat.

You can also take a look at the ears and tail of your rodent. 

Mice will have more prominent ears compared to the smaller head, and the rat’s ears are smaller. In addition, mice have long thin tails that are hairy, matching the color of the fur on their body. Rats, on the other hand, have tails that are thick, hairless, and scaly.

Type of Droppings in Rats Vs Mice

The rodent’s size also affects the size and shape of their droppings. As a result, mice will leave more droppings for you to find, and the shape of those droppings will be similar to grains of rice.

Rats will leave fewer droppings around your home because they will be bigger. Rat droppings are more rounded and can be the size of olive pits.

Behavior Differences

Another key difference between these rodents is the way they behave. If you want to get rid of mice, you have to set multiple traps and watch for nests in higher areas. This is because mice tend to be bolder, making them curious and more likely to fall into traps. 

Rats, although bigger, live a more fearful life, making them very cautious about exploring new things. This behavior means you will need to put in an extra effort to get rid of rats. Watch out for their nests in the lower levels of a structure, like a basement or a crawlspace.

Common Rats and Mice in Indiana

The most common rat in Indiana is the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), while the most common mouse is the house mouse (Mus musculus). If you believe your house is infested with rats or mice, let the experts at YES Pest Pros provide the solution as quickly as possible.

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