Which feature distinguishes deer mice from house mice?

The feature that distinguishes deer mice from house mice is the characteristic of having sharply bi-colored ears. In deer mice, the ears are typically brown on the outer side and lighter in color, often white or pale, on the inner side. This bi-coloration is a distinctive trait that helps differentiate them from house mice, whose ears generally do not exhibit this stark contrast in coloration.

When identifying rodent species, visual characteristics like ear color can be significant indicators, as they are often easy to observe. Deer mice also possess other differences such as size and tail length, but the bi-colored ears are a key identifying feature that sets them apart from house mice. Understanding these details can help in field identification and pest management practices.