student asking question

What's the difference between mouse and rat?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Rats" and "mice" (the plural for mouse) are actually two different animals in the same species. So while they are both "rodents" (which is their species) they do look different to each other and have a few other differences between them. Although mice and rats may have similar fur colours, there are a few differences in other features that would help you distinguish between the two. Starting with the snouts of both mice and rats, mice will have more of a triangular nose whereas a rat’s nose is blunter. When it comes to ears, mice have large, floppy ears however rats have larger ears in size compared to mice but not in respect to their body size. Mice also tend to have long, thin tails with hair but rat tails will usually be hairless and scaly. Even though they are smaller in size, mice tend to be a bit bolder than rats. Mice are usually curious and will explore new things. Rats, however, are usually very cautious about new things and won’t explore like mice. Ex: Mice are afraid of rats because rats will kill and eat mice. Ex: Rats are usually much larger than mice.

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