Copy of PREY SPECIES ID | whatthecatdraggedin

Water shrew- slightly larger than common shrew and very dark in colour (almost black)

Mole- Larger than shrews with much smaller eyes and large, clawed forelimbs

Prey Species ID

Here, you'll find handy tips to help you identify 'what the cat dragged in'

Mammals

Cats commonly bring more small mammals home than they do birds. This is thought to be because mammals are generally much easier to catch.

We can group small mammals into three main categories: mice (& rats), voles, and shrews. Although there are some exceptions, key features to look out for are:

Remember:

If possible, please take photos of all returned prey

Wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)

Also known as the field mouse

Head and body length: 6-10cm
Tail length: 7-9.5cm
Colouration can vary, but is commonly more golden than the house mouse
Often has a darker stripe running along its back
Pale underbelly, occasionally having a small yellow patch on the chest
Larger ears and eyes than the house mouse (relative to body size)

Image: Hanna Knutsson

Yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis)

Often confused with the wood mouse

Head and body length: 9-12cm
Tail length: 8-11cm
Golden in colour, very similar to the wood mouse
Whiter underbelly than the wood mouse, with an unbroken band of yellow across the chest
Ears and eyes are larger than those of the wood mouse (relative to body size)
Can be found towards the south of England, the West Midlands and eastern parts of Wales

Image: Gareth Christian

Harvest mouse (Mycromys minutus)

Head and body length: 5-8cm
Tail length: 5-8cm
Arond the size of a human thumb
Mid to light brown/golden in colour, similar to the wood mouse
Pale underbelly
Ears are furry and pinned back. Also ears are relatively smaller than those of other mice
Muzzle is not as pointed as other mice

Image: Chris Parker

Bank vole

or field vole?

Check the tail...

Bank voles have longer tails (two thirds body length) than field voles (half body length)

Mammals: mice & rats

Mammals: voles

Mammals: shrews

Did you know?

Shrews aren't rodents, unlike mice and voles.

Instead, shrews are

more closely related to moles and hedgehogs, eating small invertebrates

House mouse (Mus musculus)

Head and body length: 6-10cm
Tail length: 6-10cm
Dusty brown/ grey colour, with a pale underbelly
Smaller ears and eyes than the wood mouse (relative to body size)
Muzzle is quite pointed

Image: Duncan Hull

Image: Hanna Knutsson

Bank vole (Myodes glareolus)

Head and body length: 8-12cm
Tail length: 3.3-4.8cm
Tail is around two thirds the length of the body
Smaller eyes, ears and tail than a mouse
Stocky build
Similar in appearance to the harvest mouse
Can be dusty brown/ grey, but typically more of a chestnut brown colour
Pale grey underbelly
Muzzle is blunt, unlike mice

Image: Rudmer Zwerver

Field vole (Microtus agrestis)

Head and body length: 9-11cm
Tail length: 2-5cm
Tail is around half the length of the body
Smaller eyes, ears and tail than a mouse
Stocky build
Small, furry ears (furrier than the bank vole)
Brown or dusty brown/ grey
Pale grey underbelly
Muzzle is blunt, unlike mice

Image: Hanna Knutsson

Common shrew (sorex araneus)

Head and body length: 5.5-8.5cm
Tail length: 3-5.5cm
Small ears, tucked back against head
Tail is around half the length of the head & body
Dark brown in colour, with light brown flanks and a pale grey/white underbelly
Very small eyes
Elongated snout

Image: Philip Hay

Pygmy shrew (sorex minutus)

Head and body length: 4-6.5cm
Tail length: 3-4.5cm
Smaller than the common shrew
Very small eyes
Elongated snout
Small ears, tucked back against head
Dark brown in colour, with a pale grey/white underbelly
Tail is longer than that of the common shrew, relative to body size (around 65-80% the length of the head & body)