It’s true that Little Mouse's Encyclopedia offers some similar elements to our previous project at Circus Atos. Under Leaves was also a student master degree project, made by the same programmer and the same audio designer, with similar graphic techniques. But Little Mouse's Encyclopedia is designed by someone entirely different and is a much. Check your attic for trails in the insulation. A strong correlation exists between mice in the walls and mice in the attic. Often times mice enter the home at lower entry points and from there go up or down. A quick inspection of the outside of your home can give you a good indication of whether you have mice in the walls. An app perfect for kids who love non-fiction books about nature! In this app, you control a little mouse who explores his charmingly illustrated environment-current options include “Around the Burrow” (included with free initial app download) and “In the Forest” (an in-app purchase add-on).
If you’ve ever scoured the perimeter of your house for entry points an animal could enter through – and if you haven’t, you really should – you may wonder just how small an opening you should be concerned about. A favorite comparison often used by Dr. Bobby Corrigan, noted rodentologist and award-winning pest management consultant, states that if you can put a #2 pencil into a hole, a mouse would be able to get through it as well. Others like to use the dime as an example of the width a mouse can exploit. Basically, we’re talking about a space that is roughly ¼-inch across.
The Collapsible Skeleton Myth
For years a rumor has circulated that rodents have collapsible skeletons which allow them to squeeze through tight spaces. This is not true. And while it is also said that they lack a “collarbone,” this is not exactly correct either. The mouse’s sloping clavicle is positioned differently from our own, in accordance with its profoundly different anatomy and the fact that certain supporting bones serve different functions. Just look at how the mouse holds its head and neck and compare it to how we do and you will begin to understand. The clavicle of a mouse simply does not provide a barrier as it would in a human.
The skeleton of a mouse accommodates its lifestyle, a good deal of which is taken up by burrowing for food and safety. It can be said that it was “made” to squeeze into things, a natural adaptation to a life of digging and tunneling.
How Does It Know?
So what allows a mouse to determine whether it can burrow into a particular space without getting stuck? Is it psychic? If you’ve ever watched a cat stare at a cluttered countertop and suddenly leap up to land on a perfectly empty spot, that’s baffling! As for the mouse, it’s a simple matter. After gauging an entryway’s width with its whiskers, it pokes its head in and the rest is settled. If the head can pass through, the body will have no problem.
The body only seems bigger on some mice, but when it comes down to what’s inside the mouse, the skull is its largest feature. A mouse may occasionally get hung up trying to get through a hole in a place where it doesn’t have solid footing, especially if higher than it can reach while standing.
But if balance and a steady surface aren’t an issue, there is no reason to doubt that once a head makes its way all the way through, the rest of the body will follow.
Let Victor® Help
Now that you know how easy it is for a mouse to gain access into your home, turn to Victor® for what to do next. Our Learning Center offers great advice on rodent-proofing your home and getting rid of mice in 5 easy steps, while our article section has tips on identifying mouse holes and 25 things you can do around the house to prevent future mice problems.
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House mice are said to be the most common mammal in the U.S., so it’s no surprise that many homeowners report dealing with infestations at one time or another. Because mice are so common, you may think you already know all there is to know about this household pest, but think again!
Here are eight fascinating mouse facts you probably don’t know:
1. If you have a mouse infestation, rest assured you are not alone.
Each winter, mice and other rodents invade an estimated 21 millions homes in the United States. Mice typically enter our homes between October and February, looking for food, water and shelter from the cold.
2. Mice have big appetites.
Despite their tiny bodies (and even smaller stomachs!), mice eat between 15 and 20 times a day. Because of their frequent eating habits, they prefer to build their homes near food sources.
3. They are little gymnasts.
Mice are good jumpers, climbers and swimmers. In fact, mice can jump a foot into the air, allowing them to easily climb up onto kitchen counters or into pantries to access food. To prevent mice and other pests from getting into your food, store all pantry items items in hard, plastic containers with a tightly sealed lid.
Little Mouse's Encyclopedia
4. …and little Houdinis!
Mice can squeeze through openings as small as the size of a dime. This means that a small crack or opening on the exterior of your home (such as where utility pipes enter) is like an open door for mice. Prevent mice from gaining access to your home by sealing any openings on the exterior with a silicone caulk. You can also fill gaps and holes inside your home with steel wool.
5. They have relatively short lifespans.
In the wild, mice usually only live for about five months, mostly because of predators such as cats, snakes and foxes. In a lab setting, mice can live for up to two years.
6. They spread more germs than you know.
Little Mouses Encyclopedia Cracked
Sure, you know that mice can spread diseases like Hantavirus and Salmonella, but that’s just the beginning. In fact, mice can actually carry as many as 200 human pathogens!
7. Mice aren’t potty-trained.
Okay, so you already knew that. But did you know that a house mouse produces between 40 and 100 droppings per day? In addition, house mice constantly give off micro-droplets of urine as they travel around their territory every day. However, if you’re looking for a silver lining, house mice (like all rodents) do not vomit.
One mouse can turn into many mice…quickly!
A female house mouse can give birth when they are only two months old, and they are able to have to up to a dozen babies every three weeks. This means she could have as many as 150 offspring in a single year! If you spot a mouse in your home, it is safe to assume there are more or there will be soon. It’s best to contact a licensed pest professional before the infestation grows out of control.
Looking for more information on mice and rodents? Check out this article for tips on how to prevent mice infestations, and this article on the diseases spread by rodents.