Learn The Facts About Rats and Rodents

Do you know the difference between rats, mice and rodents? Here is a quick primer but first you need to inquire to sunshine coast pest control.

Rat vs. Rodent

The terms rat and rodent are often confused and used interchangeably, but there are some important differences to note. Rat is the term used for certain medium-sized, long-tailed rodents in the genus Rattus whereas rodent is used for any of the more than 2,000 species of mammals that make up the order Rodentia.

Rats are distinct from other rodents because they have a pointed muzzle with large ears, long hairless tails, and their front teeth protrude past their lips.

Mice vs. Rats vs. Rodents

Mice belong to the genus Mus while rats belong to the genus Rattus. Both are part of the same mammal order (Rodentia) as well as family (Muridae). Mice differ from rats in that they have a pointed snout with a triangular face and larger ears relative to their head size; rats have blunt muzzles with smaller ears in proportion to their head size.

Rats and mice are present everywhere in the United States, especially in urban areas. These rodents are considered a public health concern because they can spread diseases through their urine, feces, bite and scratches. Rodents also can contaminate food sources and damage structures.

Rats and mice also may be associated with allergic reactions to allergens found in their urine, feces or saliva. In addition, studies have shown that rats and mice may play a role in the transmission of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).

What are Rats & Mice?

The Norway rat is about 5 to 6 inches long, including its 3 to 4-inch tail. It has small eyes and ears, coarse fur that is usually brownish gray with a whitish belly. The roof rat is smaller at 6 to 8 inches long, including its 4 to 5-inch tail. It has large eyes and ears, a pointed nose and smooth fur that is gray with a white or buff belly

The house mouse is about 2 to 3 inches long, including its 1-inch tail. It has small eyes and ears, a pointed nose and usually light brown fur over most of the body with lighter shades on the feet, belly and underside of the tail.

Rats are rodents with long tails, pointed noses and tiny ears. They’re often confused with mice, but rats are typically much larger. You can tell the difference between the two by their size—rats are bigger than mice.

Rats have a reputation for being dirty, destructive pests. You may have heard they’re only found in urban environments or that they bite humans. But these common rodent myths don’t paint the whole picture of rats and their behavior.

Rats and mice are one of the most popular and successful mammals in the world. They have been around for millions of years, evolving into hundreds of different species. Rats and mice have adapted to almost every habitat in the world, from frozen wastelands to hot tropical rain forests.

They are often viewed as pests, invading homes, contaminating food and spreading disease. However, many people like rats and mice as pets. Their ability to learn tricks and use their paws to manipulate objects has made them popular subjects for scientific experiments (they have even went into space).

Contrary to popular belief, rats don’t just live in sewers. They live all around us, in both urban and rural settings.

Rats are incredibly adaptable creatures, and they can thrive just about anywhere. They’ll take up residence in homes, businesses, barns, sheds, gardens, crawl spaces — you name it. And if there’s food and water nearby to sustain them, they’ll be happy to stay for a while.

With their sharp teeth and agile bodies, rats can chew through almost anything. That makes them especially hard to keep out of your home or business. Go to our website for rodent pest control.