|
|
|
|
| Characteristic |
Norway Rat |
Roof Rat |
House Mouse |
| General appearance |
large, robust |
Sleek, graceful |
small, slender |
| Adult size |
|
|
|
|
weight |
7-18 oz |
5-9 oz |
½ - 1 oz |
| length |
|
|
|
|
head & body |
7-9.5 in |
6-8 in |
2-3.5 in |
|
tail |
6-8 in |
7-10 in |
3-4 in |
| Snout |
blunt |
pointed |
pointed |
| Ears |
small, covered with short hairs; do not reach eyes |
large, nearly naked; can be pulled over eyes |
large, some hair |
| Eyes |
small |
large, prominent |
small |
| Tail |
dark above, pale beneath |
uniformly dark |
uniformly dark |
| Fur |
brown with scattered black; shaggy |
grey to black; smooth |
light brown, light gray; smooth |
| Droppings |
capsule shaped, 3/4 in |
spindle shaped, .5 in |
rod shaped, .5 in |
| Senses |
|
|
|
|
Sight |
poor, color blind |
poor, color blind |
poor, color blind |
|
Smell, Taste, Hearing |
excellent |
excellent |
excellent |
| Food |
omnivorous; often preference for meats .8-1 oz per day |
omnivorous; especially fruits, nuts, grains vegetables; .5-1 oz day |
omnivorous, prefers cereal grains; .1 oz per day |
| Water |
15-30 ml/day |
15-30 ml/day |
3-9 ml/day; can subsist Without free water |
| Feeding habits |
shy to new objects; steady eater |
shy to new objects; steady eater |
inquisitive; nibbler |
| Climbing |
readily climbs; limited Agility |
very agile, active climber |
good climber |
| Nests |
usually burrows |
walls, attics, trees |
within buildings, stored food |
| Home range radius |
98-164 ft |
98-164 ft |
10-33 ft |
| Age at mating (months) |
2-3 |
2-3 |
1.5-2 |
| Breeding season |
spring and fall peaks |
spring and fall peaks |
year long |
| Gestation period (days) |
22 |
22 |
19 |
| Young per litter |
8-12 |
4-8 |
4-7 |
| Litters per year |
4-7 |
4-6 |
8 |
| Length of life |
1 year |
1 year |
1 year |
