2011年1月14日 · At first glance, a young rat could be mistaken for an adult mouse. They are, after all, both closely related rodents but there are visible differences between the black or Norway rat (our most common rat) and the house mouse, regardless of their size.

This comprehensive guide provides detailed identification tips, biology facts, and prevention and control methods for brown rats in central Florida. Read on to learn brown rat habits, reproduction, diet, health risks, signs of infestation, and professional treatment options if you suspect an infestation on your property.

Rats are larger, with body lengths ranging from six to 11 inches. Mice are smaller, typically two to four inches long. Rats have larger feet. This is especially apparent when comparing a juvenile rat to a mouse of a similar size. Rats have thick, long, scaly tails, while mice have thin, hairy tails.

Baby rats, also known as rat pups, undergo significant physical changes as they mature from newborns to juveniles and eventually to adults. Understanding the distinct features of baby rats can aid in their accurate identification and differentiation from other rodent species.

After three weeks of age, rats are no longer considered babies but young or juvenile rats. They have fur, fully open eyes, and long tails. A young rat looks like a miniature adult rat. Rats grow rapidly, and at six weeks of age, they become sexually mature (especially males). Social maturity is reached around the age of six months. [2]

Adult mice are 2.5 to 3.75 inches long (63-95mm), with a tail that ranges from 2.75 to 4 inches in length. Compared to young/juvenile rats, they have large ears and eyes, and a pointier nose. Their body is uniformly colored, meaning that their backs and bellies are roughly the same greyish-brown. The tail is semi-naked and is as long as the body.

Rats are much bigger than mice – 250g versus 20g for adults. However juvenile rats – something in the region of 2-4 weeks old – look very similar size-wise to mice and hence we very often see the wrong species targeted due to people believing that they only have a mice problem.

Juvenile brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) emerging from hole in ground. Dorset, UK March Stock Photo https://www.alamy.com/image-license-details/?v=1 https://www.alamy.com/juvenile-brown-rat-rattus-norvegicus-emerging-from-hole-in-ground-dorset-uk-march-image262964552.html

The Brown Rat climbs well, both trees and houses (although not as well as the Black Rat, also called Roof Rat in America). Baby Brown Rat Juvenile Brown Rat (the young are greyer than the adults)

Download this stock image: Juvenile Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) - C0YMJY from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors.