The biggest difference between rats and mice is their size. Mice are fairly small, weighing only between 12 and 45 grams. Rats, on the other hand, are much larger and can weigh anywhere between 150 and 300 grams. The ears of a rat are quite small, while the ears of a mouse are large compared to their body size.
A mouse’s tail will also be thin, long, and covered in hair. A rat’s tail is also long, but they are quite thick and are not covered in hair. While both types of rodents will build nests, mice generally prefer to remain in burrows. Black rats prefer nests that are high off the ground, but brown rats will build nests closer to the ground.