Types of Rodents In Florida
While rats and mice play essential roles in the ecosystem, they can become unwelcome guests when they invade homes. In this guide, we'll explore the most common rodents in Florida and provide insights on how to identify them.
Common Types of Rats In Florida
In Florida, the most common types of rats include:
Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
Norway rats, also known as brown rats or sewer rats, are robust rodents commonly found in urban and suburban areas throughout Florida. Unlike roof rats, Norway rats are ground dwellers and often burrow beneath buildings or in outdoor structures. These rodents have a stocky build with a body length ranging from 7 to 9 inches, not including their tail. They have small ears and eyes compared to roof rats, a blunt snout, and a shorter, thicker tail. Norway rats are opportunistic feeders and can consume a wide range of food items, including grains, fruits, and garbage.
Identifying Features:
- Stocky build (7-9 inches in length)
- Blunt snout
- Shorter, thicker tail
- Small ears and eyes
- Ground dwellers
Roof Rat (Rattus rattus)
Roof rats, also known as black rats, are agile climbers and are typically found in elevated areas such as attics, roofs, and trees. These rodents have slender bodies with a length ranging from 6 to 8 inches, excluding their tail. They have large ears and eyes, a pointed snout, and a scaly tail that is longer than their body. Roof rats are known carriers of diseases and can cause significant damage to property by gnawing on wires, insulation, and structural materials.
Identifying Features:
- Slender body (6-8 inches in length)
- Pointed snout
- Long, scaly tail
- Large ears and eyes
- Agile climbers
Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus)
Cotton rats are medium-sized rodents commonly found in grassy and agricultural areas throughout Florida. These rodents have a stocky build with a body length ranging from 6 to 9 inches, excluding their tail. They have relatively short ears, small eyes, and a blunt snout. Cotton rats are herbivorous and primarily feed on plant materials such as seeds, grains, and vegetation. While they typically inhabit outdoor habitats, cotton rats may occasionally venture into yards or gardens in search of food.
Identifying Features:
- Stocky build (6-9 inches in length)
- Blunt snout
- Relatively short ears
- Herbivorous diet
- Found in grassy areas
Marsh Rice Rat (Oryzomys palustris)
Marsh rice rats are native to Florida and are often found in coastal marshes, swamps, and wetlands. These rodents have adapted to aquatic environments and are excellent swimmers. Marsh rice rats have a brownish-gray fur coat with a slightly lighter underside. They have relatively large ears and eyes, a pointed snout, and a long, scaly tail. While marsh rice rats primarily inhabit outdoor habitats, they may occasionally find their way into homes located near marshy areas or waterfront properties.
Identifying Features:
- Brownish-gray fur
- Large ears and eyes
- Pointed snout
- Long, scaly tail
- Excellent swimmers
Black Rat (Rattus rattus)
Black rats, also known as ship rats, are agile climbers and are often found in urban areas, warehouses, and agricultural settings throughout Florida. These rodents have slender bodies with a length ranging from 6 to 8 inches, excluding their tail. They have large ears and eyes, a pointed snout, and a scaly tail that is longer than their body. Black rats are known for their role as carriers of diseases such as the bubonic plague. They can also cause damage to crops and stored food items.
Identifying Features:
- Slender body (6-8 inches in length)
- Pointed snout
- Long, scaly tail
- Large ears and eyes
- Agile climbers
Eastern Woodrat (Neotoma floridana)
Eastern woodrats, also known as packrats, are medium-sized rodents commonly found in wooded areas and shrublands throughout Florida. These rodents have a stocky build with a body length ranging from 12 to 17 inches, including their tail. They have large, rounded ears, dark eyes, and a blunt snout. Eastern woodrats are known for their habit of collecting and hoarding various objects such as twigs, leaves, and shiny items in their nests, which are often constructed in rocky crevices or hollow trees.
Identifying Features:
- Stocky build (12-17 inches in length)
- Blunt snout
- Large, rounded ears
- Known for hoarding behavior
- Found in wooded areas
Common Types of Mice In Florida
In Florida, some of the most common species of mice include:
House Mouse (Mus musculus)
House mice are one of the most common and widespread rodent species found in homes throughout Florida. These small mammals typically measure about 5-7 inches in length, including their tail. They have a pointed snout, relatively large ears, and a long, thin tail. House mice are usually light brown or gray in color and are known for their prolific breeding habits. They can squeeze through tiny openings and are often found in kitchens, pantries, and other areas where food is stored.
Identifying Features:
- Small size (5-7 inches in length)
- Pointed snout
- Light brown or gray fur
- Large ears
- Long, thin tail
White-Footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)
White-footed mice are native to Florida and are commonly found in forests, fields, and residential areas. These mice have a brownish-gray fur coat with white underparts and distinctive white feet. They have large, rounded ears, dark eyes, and a pointed snout. White-footed mice are primarily nocturnal and are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, insects, fruits, and small vertebrates. They are excellent climbers and may enter homes in search of food or shelter, particularly during colder months.
Identifying Features:
- Brownish-gray fur with white underparts
- White feet
- Large, rounded ears
- Nocturnal behavior
- Excellent climbers
Cotton Mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus)
Cotton mice are small rodents commonly found in forests, brushy areas, and agricultural fields throughout Florida. These mice have a brownish fur coat with a white or grayish underside. They have relatively large ears, dark eyes, and a pointed snout. Cotton mice are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant materials, seeds, and insects. They are skilled climbers and may enter homes or outbuildings in search of food or shelter, particularly in rural areas.
Identifying Features:
- Brownish fur with white or grayish underside
- Relatively large ears
- Omnivorous diet
- Skilled climbers
- Found in forested areas
Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)
Deer mice are common rodents found throughout Florida, particularly in rural and wooded areas. These mice have a brownish fur coat with white underparts and large, prominent eyes. They have relatively large ears, a pointed snout, and a long, bi-colored tail. Deer mice are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. They are excellent climbers and may enter homes or outbuildings in search of food or shelter, particularly during colder months.
Identifying Features:
- Brownish fur with white underparts
- Large, prominent eyes
- Relatively large ears
- Omnivorous diet
- Excellent climbers
Eastern Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys humulis)
Eastern harvest mice are small rodents commonly found in grasslands, marshes, and agricultural fields throughout Florida. These mice have a brownish fur coat with a white or grayish underside. They have relatively large ears, dark eyes, and a pointed snout. Eastern harvest mice are primarily herbivorous, feeding on seeds, grains, and grasses. They are skilled climbers and may enter homes or outbuildings in search of food or shelter, particularly in rural areas.
Identifying Features:
- Brownish fur with white or grayish underside
- Relatively large ears
- Herbivorous diet
- Skilled climbers
- Found in grassy habitats
Golden Mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli)
Golden mice are small rodents native to Florida and are typically found in wooded areas, brushy habitats, and marshes. These mice have a golden-brown fur coat with a white or cream-colored underside. They have relatively large ears, dark eyes, and a pointed snout. Golden mice are primarily herbivorous, feeding on seeds, fruits, and vegetation. They are skilled climbers and may enter homes or outbuildings in search of food or shelter, particularly in rural or suburban areas.
Identifying Features:
- Golden-brown fur with white or cream-colored underside
- Relatively large ears
- Herbivorous diet
- Skilled climbers
- Found in wooded habitats
Other Common Types of Rodents in Florida
Apart from mice and rats, several other types of rodents inhabit Florida. Some of the most common ones include:
Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Eastern gray squirrels are common mammals found throughout Florida, particularly in urban, suburban, and forested areas. These arboreal rodents have a bushy tail and a grayish-brown fur coat with lighter underparts. They have relatively large eyes, prominent ears, and a pointed snout. Eastern gray squirrels are primarily herbivorous, feeding on nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetation. They are skilled climbers and may enter homes or outbuildings in search of food or shelter, particularly during colder months.
Identifying Features:
- Grayish-brown fur coat with lighter underparts
- Bushy tail
- Relatively large eyes and prominent ears
- Herbivorous diet
- Skilled climbers
Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris)
Marsh rabbits are small mammals native to Florida and commonly found in marshes, wetlands, and coastal habitats. They have a brown fur coat with a grayish-brown underside. They have relatively large ears, dark eyes, and a short, fluffy tail. Marsh rabbits are primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, aquatic plants, and shrubs. They are excellent swimmers and may inhabit areas with abundant water sources, such as marshes and swamps.
Identifying Features:
- Brown fur coat with grayish-brown underside
- Relatively large ears
- Short, fluffy tail
- Herbivorous diet
- Excellent swimmers
Florida Bog Lemming (Synaptomys floridanus)
Florida bog lemmings are small rodents endemic to the state and typically found in wetlands, bogs, and marshy areas. They have a brown fur coat with a lighter underside and relatively short tails. They have small eyes, rounded ears, and a blunt snout. Florida bog lemmings are primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, sedges, and other plant materials. They are excellent burrowers and may construct elaborate tunnel systems in their wetland habitats.
Identifying Features:
- Brown fur coat with a lighter underside
- Relatively short tail
- Small eyes and rounded ears
- Herbivorous diet
- Excellent burrowers
Professional Rodent Control
Rodents are known for causing significant damage to homes, including damage to insulation, beams, and even electrical wires. If you are worried you might be hosting a rodent infestation, look no further than Price Termite & Pest Control. Our team of local rodent experts can help you identify the type of rodent and work with you to remove the rats and mice and prevent them from coming back. Contact our team today to schedule your rodent inspection.