How did a mouse get into a trap? - briefly
The mouse was attracted by the bait, stepped onto the trigger plate, and the mechanism snapped shut, locking the door. The spring‑loaded latch then held the animal securely inside the trap.
How did a mouse get into a trap? - in detail
The mouse entered the device because its innate foraging instincts drove it toward the bait, and its physical characteristics allowed it to overcome the trap’s entry barrier.
Bait attraction
- Food odor stimulates olfactory receptors.
- Visual cues, such as a crumb or seed, reinforce the scent signal.
- The mouse approaches, sniffs, and contacts the bait surface.
Entry mechanics
- The animal’s body length (≈8‑10 cm) and flexible spine enable it to squeeze through openings as small as 2 cm.
- Whisker and tactile feedback guide the head and forepaws into the entrance slot.
- Muscular contraction of the forelimbs pulls the mouse forward, while the hind limbs follow.
Trigger activation
- Contact with a pressure plate or a spring‑loaded lever depresses the trigger mechanism.
- The force applied (≈5 g) exceeds the release threshold, causing the latch to snap shut.
- The rear of the trap closes rapidly, immobilizing the rodent against the enclosure walls.
Containment outcome
- The mouse’s claws become caught in the restraining bars, preventing escape.
- The trap’s design ensures that once the latch is engaged, additional pressure cannot reopen the cavity without external intervention.
Overall, the combination of sensory lure, anatomical adaptability, and precisely calibrated trigger forces results in the mouse’s successful entry and capture.