It seems that some Japanese genetic researchers have produced fearless mice. Mutant fearless mice!
They did this by removing the mouse's ability to smell. Since the scent of various predators produces a fear reaction in mice, they don't feel afraid if they don't detect nasty kitty funk.
I can think of one application right off. If this proves that certain scents cause fear in certain animals, we could manufacture repellents that work on rodents. Cat perfume means mouse be gone!
I'm writing this in a humorous light, but pest control is a matter of life or death in certain areas of the world. A significant portion of each harvest in the 3rd World is lost to pests each year, and all of that lost food means that someone is going to go hungry. The greatest damage is caused by insects, but rodents certainly contribute to the problem. I'm also certain that American farmers would welcome a way to keep deer, groundhogs, wild boars, and other pests out of their fields to keep the plants safe until harvest.
Either that or the Japanese will release this fearless mutant mouse on the world, where it will threaten modern civilization as we know it. I can't think of how they would be able to credibly bring about the destruction of our society, but I've seen enough bad science fiction movies to know that it is possible!
Comments (7)
Maybe this would be a good thing. If mice don't run from cats, then they would be easily caught.
Deer hunting would become varmint shooting. Simply pick them off as they unwittingly approach you!
This would on the other hand make deer hunting much less pleasurable!!!
Posted by Steve | December 14, 2007 5:08 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 05:08
I saw that on the news and I kept thinking,"what is wrong with that cat? Why isn't the cat pouncing on the mouse?"
Smell or no smell, in our house that mouse would have been dead.
Posted by breda | December 14, 2007 12:03 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 12:03
I agree with Steve about the "feerless" mouse. I can't see one of them walking up to my 15 lb Chester and living to tell the tale.
As for his comment about deer hunting becoming varmint shooting, in some parts of the country that's what it is. And they hire exterminators to do the job.
Also, have you read the warnings on the bottles of some of the deer lures? Doe in heat, buck in rut, etc. regularly caution the hunter not to place on his/her clothing or else you might be attacked. It HAS happened to those who ignore the warning.
Posted by joated | December 14, 2007 12:11 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 12:11
we could manufacture repellents that work on rodents. Cat perfume means mouse be gone!
I believe we already do. My daughter told me she found and used a repellent made from bobcat urine, or some such. She said it worked great.
Posted by tkdkerry | December 14, 2007 9:13 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 21:13
My memory wasn't so bad, it's fox/bobcat urine, called Shake Away.
http://www.backyardwildlife.com/catalog/product_info.php?currency=EUR&language=en&products_id=980
Posted by tkdkerry | December 15, 2007 10:46 AM
Posted on December 15, 2007 10:46
I had a male cat once that took to spraying on the carpet in the corner of the room and I've used fox scent as a cover when hunting. I hope the fox/bobcat stuff is not quite so...strong.
Posted by joated | December 15, 2007 5:49 PM
Posted on December 15, 2007 17:49
Daughter says she couldn't smell it unless she was very close. I think she basically had to waive it under her nose to smell it.
Posted by tkdkerry | December 15, 2007 11:10 PM
Posted on December 15, 2007 23:10