Mice and Rats

Rats and Mice both belong to a group of
mammals known as rodents, the most
important characteristic of which is the
possession of constantly growing incisor
teeth. This feature means that these animals
must constantly gnaw to keep the growth in
check. Both mice and rats are colour blind and
have an acute sense of smell, hearing and touch.

Unlike rats, mice are very inquisitive to new objects. A mouse can climb and are usually erratic in habit. Mice have a life span of 9-12 months and can produce up to 8 litters of 5-6 mice per year. IN the UK we have black and Brown rats, however Brown rats, the most common species. It lives for 9 -18 months and produces around 5 litters per year, each with between 7-10 young in each litter.

Habitat: House Mice will sometimes burrow and live either
indoors or outdoors. Although house mouse will occasionally
burrow. They will normally make their nests within stored
materials. Rats live in both city and rural areas and they
are good climbers and swimmers. Run tracks can be
found 5-10 cms wide along well used garden routes.
Holes can be 10coms in diamiter and often found
in relatively undisturbed areas near to food.

Description: The House Mouse is approximately 15g in weight and 60-90mm in length, they have a slender body with a pointed nozzle and large hairy ears. They are brown-grey in colour. House mice droppings are approximately 3mm-7mm long and spindle shaped and will tend to be scattered. Their tail is 4/5 length of the head and body. An adult rat can weigh between 255-340g and measure 25 cms in length with a similar tail length.They have a small blunt nose with ears that are small in proportion to the body. Rat droppings are 15-20 cms long, cylindrical, flat at one end and often pointed at the other.

Feeding habits: Mice will nibble. They prefer cereals and can consume 3 grams per day. Mice can also survive with very little water (unlike rats) and often obtain sufficient water in food without the need to drink. Rats will tear open all types of food packaging to find food.