Rats and mice have a pretty bad reputation. Filthy, gross, vermin – you name it, they’ve been called it!

When you take a closer look, though, we bet you’ll find that rats and mice are amazing animals. (This is old news for all you rodent fans!)

Did you know that we’ve actually had a close relationship with rats and mice for a long time? Our towns and cities are irresistible sources of shelter and food. So, as we’ve moved around the globe, they’ve simply followed. Our homes have become their home!

A few hundred years ago, people began to catch and keep tame rats and mice. They were fascinated by their curiosity, intelligence and resourcefulness. Eventually, from their wild cousins, a range of domesticated rodents emerged – today’s friendly pet rats and mice.

Rats and mice make awesome companions. They’re smart and affectionate, not to mention entertaining to watch and hang out with. They each have their own unique personality and are fun to get to know.

So why not give these rodents a chance? They might just surprise you!

They may share a similar history, but mice and rats are not the same. Rats are larger and have thicker tails, while mice have pointier faces and more delicate hind feet. Mouse ears are larger than rat ears (relative to their heads) too. They also behave differently as pets. Rats typically require more attention and tend to enjoy interacting with people more than mice do.

Can you tell the difference between rats and mice? Check out the photos above. Try to figure out which is which, then scroll to the bottom for the answers!

In case you couldn’t tell, we really love rats and mice! Apart from being great pets, they have some pretty amazing abilities too. These abilities have allowed them to survive in almost any environment and against all odds – including fires, floods, famines and even exterminations! Here are just a few fun facts you might not know about them:

• Rats can laugh! When they’re happy, they make a chirping sound too high for us to hear.

• Unlike us, rats and mice can see ultraviolet colours. Under ultraviolet light, their urine (which they use to mark their territory) glows!

• Mice can sing! Males serenade females with ultrasonic calls in the hopes of attracting a mate.

• Rats and mice have super sensitive whiskers. They can detect breezes, as well as changes in texture and temperature.

Well, we hope we’ve peaked your curiosity about these fascinating animals! Do you think you might like one as a pet? We’ve got rat and mouse care guides to help you know what to expect. We’ve also got lots of great articles on our website with even more care tips.

When your family is ready to welcome some rats or mice into your home, visit spca.bc.ca/adopt to see all of the ones available for adoption at our shelters.

Already have pet rats or mice? Tell us about them at kids@spca.bc.ca!

Okay, now that you’re an expert on rats and mice, it’s time for our Rat and Mouse Word Search! Can you find all the words in the puzzle on the left? Circle each one you see – they might be forwards, backwards, up and down or even on a diagonal. Some may even overlap. Once you’ve found all the words, you’ll be able to spell out a secret message with the letters you didn’t circle!

The answers to the Mouse or Rat? quiz are:
1. mouse, 2. mouse, 3. rat, 4. rat, 5. mouse, 6. rat.