To help you out, the RSPCA has explained the times of day you’re likely to see them. When are rats and mice active? The RSPCA has listed the types of rats and mice that you might encounter, including brown rats and yellow-necked mice. You might also spot black rats, house mice, wood mice, harvest mice, hazel dormice or edible dormice. They are smaller than other types of mice and their tails have less fur than other species.