These little creatures, which we have adopted as full-fledged pets, the same as cats and dogs, are much more interesting than seems at first glance. What are the five peculiarities associated with the most numerous order of mammals, which every animal enthusiast should know about? Let's brush up on our knowledge a bit.
Mice and their poor eyesight
Mice are known for their extremely well-developed hearing. This allows them to detect movement from up to twenty meters away. As for their eyesight, it is a slightly different story. Mice are short-sighted and their sharp vision ends past half a metre. Also their colour vision is limited as they are naturally dichromatic - there are only two spectral cone types that are sensitive to blue or green light, and they completely lack the receptors for perceiving red colour. Due to their small black eyes, which are very sensitive to bright daylight, these tiny fluff balls are active mainly at night or they prefer dark nooks and crannies. As you probably know, it is difficult to catch sight of them during the day.
Mice, rats and their memory of an elephant
Do you know why are rats and mice regularly used for various tests and experiments? It is because of their incredible memory. And compared to other animals, they are highly trainable. One of the reasons scientists often use them for their experiments is that they always remember the way to their food.
No need to drink
How is it possible that mice do not need to drink much? They hydrate through food. Yes, for example, they get water from grains. However, this does not change the fact that, unlike other creatures, they are able to find water almost anywhere.
Rodents' front teeth - their biggest asset
The absolutely unique feature of rodents are their front teeth. They grow continuously throughout their whole life and because they can grow by up to 15 centimetres a year, rodents regularly grind them. These small mammals keep their two pairs of sharp and strong incisors in a good condition, mainly because they use them not only for eating but also to gnaw through various openings, wood as well as plastic or concrete. Teeth are therefore rodents' most frequently used body part.
Rodent - a sociable creature
Wherever you see one, you can expect many others. There is a simple rule that applies to rodents - they form colonies. They are sociable creatures. Same as bees they also prefer to work in groups and divide work within their colonies. It is rare for an individual to move away from its base.
Every one of us has for sure encountered diarrhoea in our fuzzy friend. Usually, there’s nothing to fuss about, the body reacts to food that it isn’t capable to digest or that didn’t do it good. However, it is good to know, when we are capable of...
I have been sharing with you my experience with dogs and other animals for quite some time now and it occurred to me to wander a little bit into history as well, but into an interesting one! I’d like to introduce you to several well-known dog...
Allergy is a disproportionate reaction of the immunity system to common stimuli. It cannot be cured, but we can suppress its manifestations. In the last years, allergies in pets and dogs especially are on the rise. Currently, about 10% of house-dogs...
Today, we are going to take a look at the Feline Infectious Peritonitis - FIP, an utterly exceptional virus illness that always has a fatal end. Most of the cats get into contact with the viruses that cause FIP in their lifetime, even though the...
We can divide dog owners into two groups. The ones that allow the dog in bed and those that feel that this is no option. Let’s take a look at what such bed sharing with a dog actually entails.
If you like going on treks with your fuzzy friends, geocaching is something precisely for you. This way, you will liven up your trips and maybe you even discover places that you wouldn’t have found otherwise. I and my pack can’t get enough of it.
Contrary to dogs, cats have a strong bond with the place where they live. That’s why moving is very stressful for them and this stress may cause a number of diseases. It’s a good idea to plan everything well, so that you could make the situation of a...
Even though the dogs went through long years of domestication, they still retain fundamental instincts as we do. They might not be as strong as in wild dogs, but they still play a very significant role in the life of a dog and in their behaviour. So if...
Even though it’s been a long time since our four-legged furry friends lived a feral life, they still have the laws of the pack rooted deep down inside them. It is not acquired behaviour, the need to live in a pack is determined by genetics. And if...
It is no news that the dog isn’t only a pet and that it can also help saving human lives in various catastrophes. But have you ever thought about what it means for dogs to become rescuers? You haven’t? Well, then it’s the right time to set off together...
The usual pregnancy period in female dogs is indicated at about 58 – 65 days, the average is 63 days. In case of the nutrition of a pregnant female, possible changes in diet can be likened to the changes in diet of pregnant women. Pregnant female dogs...
The most frequent reason why your dog starts to gain weight is simple, as in most of people: they consume more energy than they spend. Some owners wave their arm at a well-intended warning that their pet has gained weight, stating that the dog is...
