Nov 10 2007
Cat & Mouse
In Japan they have managed to make mice totally unafraid of imminent danger, including the presence of a cat, by altering its ability to smell. It seems that fear is caused by the presence of certain odors. When put with a cat the mouse was more curious than fearful, even examining its ears and mouth!
“The scientists found that when they disabled the area of the brain that translates scents, the mice did not show fear when presented with smells such as rotting food or predators. A mouse with these receptors turned off was photographed playing with a kitten, sniffing a cat’s ear and playing with its collar. ” The photographer did say that they had to feed the cat before the photo was taken though!
Even so Alfie will kill mice when he has eaten quite well already. He just plays with them for longer before delivering the death blow. He actually brings them into the house and I always help the poor little things to escape by taking them outside again. These are not house mice but sweet little country mice. I doubt if they survive, they probably die of shock.
Tags: Cat Behavior
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Very nice blog you have. This story was funny to me as I would usually get 1 mouse each year in my old house, and my cat would delay the kill for days, and I’d finally find it laying inside the back door. She would never eat the dead mouse, and it seemed she wanted me to find it. I read recently that cats don’t kill mice right away and leave it out for their “masters” because it’s their way of contributing to the group they live with, even if it’s humans. They are such complex creatures.
Chris
I am always careful not to offend him when he brings in a mouse! I think it must be confusing for them when we make a fuss when offered such a “gift” I do try to help him to learn that birds are not acceptable though, only mice and rats thanks!
I went up to my bedroom recently and found a large thrush sitting by the French windows waiting to be released. I think Alfie found this big bird with its sharp beak too much to handle. The bird was fine and the cat had gone.