Mouse or rat? Pic included

[mouseorrat]

Mouse or rat? Found it in the garden, about the size of a hamster

Well, fancy rats come in all kinds of colorations that you don't find in the wild. I had some lovely champagne hooded rats that would have been spotted and eaten by the first predator that came along, had they been wild rats.

Rats that have to avoid being eaten are a bit more boring in their coats!

Read the rat owners' posts It definitely isn't a rat!

It’s a mouse

... and the many posts by rat owners and breeders....

Yet up pops a self proclaimed expert (sorry Pete) ...

This thread is going to continue for another ten pages of posts from people who have never even touched a rat, confidently insisting that it's a rat.

@JamieVardysHavingAParty

I see the resemblance, but it's December. There's no way there can be baby squirrels that young knocking around, especially not in the OP's house. If the OP had a mother squirrel breeding out of season in her house, she'd know!

I should have added to my post that it was for the people saying it could be a squirrel. I have had a nest of squirrels in my loft in the past. They should all be tucked up keeping their nuts warm by now.

There is a squirrel near my house that's lost its tail. I feel quite concerned it won't be able to keep warm!

Is it a Womble?

Finally, a decent answer. I agree it's Orinoco the Womble!

Not sure, the tail is more like a mouse but it's too big for a mouse. I usually look at the tail at the base and the paws. The paws are kind of rattish, to be honest.
Last rat I saw was when I was recovering from a broken knee and my tom kindly brought me a - fortunately - dead rat because hey, I was in pain and suffering and unable to hunt myself. He even pointed at the paws as the nice part to eat and urged me to dine on it.

Bollocks. I've now got a bloody ear worm

Orinoco Flow... and I don't even like it!!!!

@CuriousaboutSamphire sail away, sail away, sail away...

It HAS to be a naked womble - have a look in the garden to see if it has left his hat or little waistcoat somewhere.

Hey, can we start a rat owners and breeders thread? .

You are asking the wrong questions op. What does the animal identify as?

Do you still get banned for telling someone to fuck off?

I bloody hated Enya back then. I haven't changed my mind and have had 30+ years to cement my vehement dislike!!!

Could it be a hedgehog OP? Just missing it’s spikes?

Perhaps it is a small otter?

Oooh! Harry wins!

The most unlikely shoehorning of The Trans Issue.

So we’re agreed that it’s a red panda that identifies as a mouse.

Is it a rat?

😂

Reminds me of the always smart Dad in the ZOO once. Wolves and polar foxes have their enclosure beside each other. His little son points at the wolves and asks what's that, Daddy? Well, a wolf.
Then he points at the fox: what's that Daddy? Daddy says: Oh, that's baby wolves.
True story.

@Somanysocks 'Is it a Womble?'

Nope

And i was so sure.