Timothy Birdnow

You know, I observed something very unique the other day. I pulled several glue traps out from under my over with dead mice on them. The mice would get stick and climb for cover and die there.

The interesting thing is these traps were covered with mouse hair. Just covered with it. Now why is that?

Two theories; first the mice knew they were dangerous and covered them to avoid accidentally getting stuck.

Second, and this is even more fascinating, could this have been akin to a burial ritual? They couldn't cart away their fallen comrads but could at least bury them under fur.

Either possibility presents the mice in a significantly sophisticated light. Either they had the brains to understand the dangers of the trap and take steps against them or they felt the need to perform a burial ritual.

It certainly isn't what one would expect from the hairy little love children.

We would assume mice aren't that bright, given their small size and rapid breeding and whatnot. And we certainly wouldn't expect them to actually care about their fellow mice.

But I've seen mice try to help each-other in the past, especially with the glue traps. Sometimes you will catch two on one trap because it's fellow comes to assist.

So mice are much more sophisticated than I used to believe.

I do hate killing them; they are just trying to live their lives. Theycome in out of the cold and hunt for something to eat, usually something I have already rejected. Yes, they will tear into food, and of course they poop everywhere and give off bad smells,but it's all out of necessity for them. They need to eat, and they have tiny digestive systems so they need to poop. And they have to chew on things to saw down their teeth, which will keep growing until they can no longer eat. That and they need a manicure so they chew on wires and other things. But it's not malicious.

Their problem is they don't understand boundaries. If I could communicate to them boundaries they could live, say, in the basement or the attic and I would even feed them. But the messes they make and the risks they pose in terms of diseases make it incumbent on me to whack them like Irish mobsters in the bootlegging business meeting up with Mafiosa.

It does make me sad sometimes. They will struggle to get free of the traps. They will cry. And the worst is when they lay there in despair. I really hate that. But once stuck on those traps I couldn't get them off if I tried, and I'm not going to risk trying and being bitten.

But I see much more to these little pests than meets the eye. Granted, I still hate them around and will do 'em in when I can. But I wish I didn't have to do so.

Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at 12:03 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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