Muridae; the Rat & Mice Family
The Muridae is one of the largest family of rodents and previously hosted the voles which are now in their own family (Cricetidae). In terms of diet they are typically generalists rather than specialists and rats especially are happy to eat most things. Their tails are 80 - 120% of their body length distinguishing them from voles, whose tails are typically between 25 - 60% of their body length. In Cheshire, there are 5 species in this family though only 2 are native. The wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and yellow-necked mouse (A. flavicollis) are native whereas the brown and black rats (Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus) came over on ships as did the house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus).