The difference between rat and mouse

[almightyshroom]

So, there was this short but furious rainstorm, and during it I found a little rodent, not to old at all, and I saved itself little life. The thing is, I don't know if its a mouse or a rat. Its about as long as my thumb, no wider, maybe brownish, not quite sure cause he's still wet. Big ears, and brown eyes. His face looks a little long but that could be cause his fur is still slicked back.

So, any help would be appreciated. I'm still deciding the poor things fate, I own three cats, so I don't think I'll be able to keep him, but maybe just long enough for it to live, and then let it free very far from my house.

[ratty_ratkins]

id say a mouse.

[almightyshroom]

We looked up mice, and we think he's a dear mouse, and he's so cute!!!! Now that he's not wet and all fluffed up again. Of course my cat saw him when i put him in the tank and now she's all excited.

[ratty_ratkins]

i have had cats AND mice together for a long time. as long as the encloser is secure you will be fine.

[Vanilla_Rat]

I used to have cats and rodents in the same house and never had problems.As long as there is no way for the cat to harm the rodent, you will be fine.Also make sure the cat wouldn't be able to knock the tank down.Even better put the tank in a room with a closed door and keep the cat out.Even if your cat cannot harm or get at the mouse, he will stress the mouse out.

Also I would let the mouse go once it is nice out.He is a wild mouse anyway and may have some diseases.Taking him in out of his home could stress him out and he may not thrive.

[ratty_ratkins]

oh yeah, deffinally let him go!

[Skratikans]

Another give away, to see if it is a rat of mouse, would be to look at its back feet, if they are huge then it's most likely a mouse.