. Control of rats and mice. Rats; Mice. jjrojections used to chew food finely be- fore swallowing it. All of the toes end in sharp claws that help in climbing and digging. When cornered, a rat uses its incisor teeth and claws, and may inflict severe injuries. The long tail serves as a counter-balance to the body in running, jumping, and climbing. abruptly or to hurry to safety. They be- come used to ordinary noises, however, and are often active where people, do- mestic animals, or machines are close by. The long "whiskers," or vibrissae, on the nose, and other long hairs above the e
. Control of rats and mice. Rats; Mice. jjrojections used to chew food finely be- fore swallowing it. All of the toes end in sharp claws that help in climbing and digging. When cornered, a rat uses its incisor teeth and claws, and may inflict severe injuries. The long tail serves as a counter-balance to the body in running, jumping, and climbing. abruptly or to hurry to safety. They be- come used to ordinary noises, however, and are often active where people, do- mestic animals, or machines are close by. The long "whiskers," or vibrissae, on the nose, and other long hairs above the eyes, serve the sense of touch. There are sensory nerves about the base of each. Fig. 1.—The Norway rat. Distinctive features (as compared with the roof rat) are the blunt nose, moderate-sized and slightly haired ears, and the tail which does not exceed the combined length of head and body. The total length is up to 16 inches. Most rodents have scent glands which leave odors on their droppings, trails, and nests. In rats and mice these glands are just inside the vent or anal opening, be- low the base of the tail. The odor from house rats is mild to the human nose, but that from the house mouse is strong and unpleasant, the "mousy ; Rats and mice have rather poor vision, but the senses of smell, taste, hearing, and touch are keenly developed. Their fre- quent sniffing movements tell them much about their surroundings through odors received. Their choice in foods is un- doubtedly based upon taste preferences. They are frightened by unusual sounds, which may cause them either to stop hair. It is the habit of a house rat or mouse to run close beside a wall, against which these sensory hairs touch to give the animal information about its sur- roundings. In the laboratory, rats with the vibrissae removed have been found less skillful in running and finding their way. Three kinds of rats and one kind of mouse, all "aliens" from the Old World, are now abundant
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