What is the difference between rats and mice?

The difference between rats and mice is primarily size, physical features, behavior, and droppings, even though both are rodents in the family Muridae. House mice, species Mus musculus, are small, two to four inches long excluding tail, weighing half an ounce to one ounce, with large ears relative to head size, pointed noses, small feet, and thin tails with fine hair. Rats, such as Norway rats Rattus norvegicus and roof rats Rattus rattus, are much larger, seven to nine inches long excluding tail, weighing five to eighteen ounces, with thicker bodies, smaller ears relative to head, blunter noses, larger feet, and thicker, scaly tails. Mice droppings are small, about one eighth inch, like rice grains, while rat droppings are larger, half to three quarters inch. Behaviorally, mice are more curious and explorative, more likely to investigate new objects quickly, while rats are more neophobic and cautious of new things. Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime, rats need a hole the size of a quarter. Both breed rapidly but rats have larger litters and live slightly longer. In homes, mice are more common in kitchens and small spaces, rats often in basements, attics, and sewers. Control methods overlap but trap sizes differ.