As early as 10,000 years ago, humans began to keep cats, not to be pets, but to drive away mice. People have the impression that cats are born to catch mice, but a new study published in Frontier of Ecology and Evolution shows that although cats are good at catching birds and mice, they rarely catch mice.

First, we need to know the difference between rats and mice. Literally, it is not difficult to see that there is a difference in size between the two. Rats usually refer to Rattus norvegicus. Adult rats can weigh up to 200-500 grams, and the raised rats are often used for experimental research. Mice are much smaller, weighing only about 30 grams. Kunming mice are the most widely used experimental mice in China.

Professor Michael Parsons of Fordham University in the United States raised 60 mice to study the effects of different "pheromones" on mouse behavior. Interestingly, the experiment produced an unexpected side effect-the wild cat was attracted by the smell of its prey and sneaked into the research building.

Subsequently, the researchers simply added five cats to the study to see how they would react to mice. In 79 days, scientists recorded hundreds of videos, and it was found that the cat tracked the mouse only 20 times, three of which tried to catch the mouse, and only two succeeded in killing the mouse-most of the time the cat completely ignored the existence of the mouse.

The researchers also noticed that once the mouse found himself noticed by the cat, the possibility of running away immediately was 1.5438+09 times. Therefore, scientists speculate that people think that owning a cat can reduce the number of mice, not because the mice are eaten by cats, but because the mice are hidden.

Why don't cats like catching mice? It may be because cats instinctively understand that being bitten by a 300-400 gram mouse may cause great harm. Other studies show that cats prefer to kill birds and mice (about 30 grams) than mice.

After all, the weight is not the same level. . .