How do mice jump – is there a video? - briefly
Mice generate jumps by rapidly extending their strong hind‑leg muscles, propelling their bodies upward and forward in a swift, arched motion. Numerous short clips on video‑sharing sites (e.g., YouTube) illustrate this behavior.
How do mice jump – is there a video? - in detail
Mice generate propulsion primarily through powerful hind‑limb muscles, especially the gastrocnemius and soleus, which contract rapidly to extend the ankle joint. Elastic tendons store kinetic energy during the crouch phase and release it explosively, allowing the animal to lift its body several centimeters off the ground in a fraction of a second. The spinal cord coordinates a burst of neural activity that synchronizes limb extension with tail stabilization, ensuring balance during the airborne interval.
Typical jumps cover distances of 5–10 cm and reach peak heights of 3–5 cm, with take‑off velocities around 1.5 m s⁻¹. The trajectory follows a near‑parabolic path, and the mouse adjusts launch angle (approximately 45°) by modulating hind‑limb extension and torso rotation. Muscle fiber composition, predominantly fast‑twitch type IIa, supports the rapid contraction‑relaxation cycle required for such short, high‑power movements.
Researchers record these actions using high‑speed video equipment capable of 500–1 000 frames per second. Cameras are positioned laterally or dorsally, often with a contrasting background to enhance silhouette detection. Software such as Tracker or MATLAB processes frame‑by‑frame data to calculate velocity, acceleration, and limb kinematics.
Numerous recordings exist online. Scientific repositories (e.g., PubMed Central supplemental material) and educational platforms (e.g., YouTube channels specializing in animal locomotion) host clips that clearly display mouse leaping behavior. Searches using terms like “mouse hind‑limb jump high speed” or “laboratory mouse locomotion video” retrieve relevant footage.
When locating a video, prioritize sources that specify frame rate, lighting conditions, and experimental context, as these factors influence the clarity of biomechanical details. High‑resolution, high‑frame‑rate recordings provide the most accurate representation of the species’ jumping mechanics.