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Mice are some of the most common creatures on earth. They’re small, furry, and mainly known for being pesky little critters that invade our homes. But there’s more to these little rodents than meets the eye.
Here are five facts about mice you probably didn’t know. Enjoy!
5 Facts about Mice
Fact #1 Squeezing Ability
Have you ever seen a mouse running around your house and wondered how it got inside? Well, it turns out that mice can squeeze through some pretty small openings. Even though their bones don’t collapse, they can get through tiny apertures the size of a pencil. This is because their skull is the largest component of their body.
So, if their head can fit, they can go anywhere! This means that a crucial part of mouse-proofing your home is to block any openings that surround the house. Otherwise, you might just find yourself with some uninvited guests!
Fact #2 Producing Vitamin C
Mice are small, nimble creatures that are often associated with cleanliness and disease. But did you know that these little rodents can actually produce their own vitamin C? That’s right – mice are one of the only animals that can synthesize this essential nutrient. So how do they do it?
Well, it all starts with a gene called GULO. This gene helps to produce an enzyme that is essential for the creation of vitamin C. Together, these two components allow mice to create their own supply of this vital nutrient.
Humans must maintain their own Vitamin C intake because they lack this skill.
Fact #3 Don’t Like Cheese
Despite the fact that mice are most famous for their fondness for cheese, this is more fiction than fact.
Mice have a very keen sense of smell, and they can detect even the slightest scent of mold or bacteria. Cheese is notorious for harboring all sorts of microbes, so it’s no surprise that mice would turn their noses up at it.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Some mice are bolder than others, and they’re not afraid to take a chance at something new. But for the most part, you’re not likely to see a mouse nibbling on a piece of cheese anytime soon.
Another explanation might be that the cheeses are full of fat.
Mice are very small animals and they have a high metabolism. This means that they burn calories very quickly. To keep up with their high metabolism, they need to eat a lot of food. But if they eat too much food, they’ll start to put on weight.
And for mice, being overweight is a death sentence. In the wild, predators will target the slowest and weakest mice first. So, if a mouse starts to put on a few extra pounds, it’s in danger of becoming easy prey.
Fact #4 Glowing Urine?
You might not think that mice urine would glow in the dark, but it actually does! When mice urinate, they excrete a protein called albumin that has a fluorescent property. This means that when exposed to ultraviolet light, it will emit a bright, blue-green light.
While this might not be something you want to see in your home, it can actually be quite useful for researchers who use it to study the movements of mice.
Fact #5 Sleep Whenever They Can
Mice are little creatures that are often seen as cute and harmless. But don’t be fooled by their small size and innocent whiskers – these pesky critters can be quite a nuisance. Not only do they steal food from our pantries, but they also leave droppings everywhere they go. And if that wasn’t bad enough, they are usually most active at night when we are trying to sleep!
So why are mice usually more active at night? It turns out that it is simply a matter of survival. When it gets dark and there are fewer people and predators around, mice usually leave their nest where they sleep to go in search of food. This means that they are more likely to come into contact with us humans – and our beloved food – during the nighttime hours.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should expect to see a mouse running around every time you turn out the lights. But it does explain why you might want to be extra careful about leaving food out in the open – especially if you live in an area where these furry little creatures are known to roam!
Conclusion
So, there you have – five facts about mice you probably didn’t know.
Learning about mice is important in order to successfully get rid of them when they invade our homes.
Thanks for reading!
