Which statement correctly distinguishes a young rat from an adult house mouse?

A distinction between a young rat and an adult house mouse lies notably in the physical characteristics of their tails. Rats, including young ones, possess scaly tails that are generally thicker and longer in proportion to their bodies compared to house mice, which have tails that are finer and covered in fur.

This characteristic helps in differentiating between the two species, especially when considering age and development. While a young rat may exhibit some youthful traits, it still retains the scaly tail that is typical of the species, distinguishing it from an adult house mouse that lacks this feature. Recognizing this trait is essential in contexts where proper identification of rodent species is crucial for pest management and control practices.

In contrast, other statements may not accurately reflect the differences between a young rat and an adult house mouse. For instance, house mice generally have larger feet, smaller eyes in relation to their body size, and the comparative ear size between the two species can vary, but does not serve as a distinguishing factor as clearly as the tail characteristic does.