House Mouse House mice have an adult body length (nose to base of tail) of 7.5–10 cm (3.0–3.9 in) and a tail length of 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in); the weight is typically 10–25 g (0.35–0.88 oz). They vary from light brown to black, with short hair and a light belly. House mice usually walk, run or stand
on all fours, but when eating, fighting or orienting themselves; they stand only on the hind legs, supported by the tail. Mice are mostly active
during dusk or night; they do not like bright lights. They live in a wide variety of hidden places that are near food sources and construct nests
from various soft materials. As primarily nocturnal animals, house mice have little or no color vision.
Roof Rat The roof rat's scientific name is Rattus rattus. Historically, they are associated with having spread the plague or black death during the Middle
Ages. The roof rat is also known as the black rat, even though it is not necessarily black in color, but rather is usually dark brown. Your typical
roof rat is between 13 to 18 inches long, including its tail. In fact, it is distinguished from other rats by that tail, which is longer than the rest of its
body. Roof rats are sleek, slender, and agile and they have large ears. Roof rats will enter homes and buildings. They only need a hole the size
of a quarter to gain entry. Roof rats eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, pet food and invertebrates (spiders and worms, for example). They will also eat
paper. If you have citrus trees, and you notice hollowed-out fruit on the ground or in the trees, this is an indicator that roof rats are present. If
you hear gnawing or scratching sounds in the attic or in the walls, you may have roof rats. Pay attention to any droppings in attics and storage
areas. If you notice oily rub marks on the house, or small holes in the screens, you could have roof rats.
Norway Rat The Brown Rat is usually active at night and is a good swimmer, both on the surface and underwater, but unlike the related Black rat (Rattus
rattus) they are poor climbers. Brown rats dig well, and often excavate extensive burrow systems. The brown rat is a true omnivore and will
consume almost anything, but cereals form a substantial part of its diet. It lives wherever humans live, particularly in urban areas. It is a
brown or grey rodent, with a body up to 25 cm (10 in) long, with the tail a similar length; the male weighs on average 350 g (12 oz) and the
female 250 g (9 oz).
Deer Mouse Deer mice are the prototype for "field mice" with large, bulging eyes, big ears, a bi-colored pattern and a long tail. They are larger than the
harvest mice (Reithrodontomys), but noticeably smaller than wood rats (Neotoma) and cotton rats (Sigmodon). The deer mouse is about
148-200 mm (seven in.) long, including the tail. The bi-colored tail is less than 90% of the head and body length; this distinguishes the deer
mouse from the high desert piñon mouse (P. truei), which has a tail over 90% of the head and body length. Deer mice live up to five years,
longer than any other species of small rodent (most mice live for only a year). A nocturnal species, they are very energy efficient, reducing
their body temperature when in their burrows. Food selection is dependent on both habitat and season. Deer mice feed heavily on larvae
from lepidopterans (includes moths and butterflies) and other insects in the spring. They can eat large volumes and are capable of ridding
an area of many insects that may be detrimental to trees. In the fall, seeds become a major food source and are stored in caches for use
during the winter.
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