How do rabid mice behave? - briefly
Rabid mice display intense aggression, frequent biting, erratic and uncoordinated movements, foaming at the mouth, and heightened irritability. They also show disorientation, excessive vocalization, and a loss of normal fear of predators.
How do rabid mice behave? - in detail
Rabies infection in rodents produces a rapid, severe neurological syndrome. After an incubation period of several days to a few weeks, the virus reaches the central nervous system and triggers the following observable changes:
- Hyperexcitability: Mice display sudden, unprovoked attacks on objects, cages, or handlers. Movements become erratic, with rapid, jerky limb motions.
- Loss of coordination: Balance deteriorates; animals stumble, fall, or crawl along walls, indicating cerebellar involvement.
- Excessive salivation: Salivary glands enlarge, producing frothy drool that coats the fur and whiskers.
- Vocalization: High‑pitched squeaks and chattering replace normal quiet behavior, reflecting heightened arousal.
- Altered sleep‑wake cycles: Periods of frantic activity alternate with brief, shallow rest, disrupting normal circadian patterns.
- Aggressive biting: Biting attempts become frequent and forceful, directed at any perceived stimulus, regardless of threat level.
- Thermoregulatory instability: Body temperature fluctuates markedly, often rising above normal ranges during active phases.
Neurological deterioration proceeds swiftly. Muscular rigidity and spasms emerge, followed by paralysis of the hind limbs. Respiratory centers become compromised, leading to irregular breathing and eventual respiratory failure. Mortality occurs within 24–72 hours after the onset of clinical signs.
The overall pattern is a transition from normal foraging and social interaction to a state of heightened aggression, disorientation, and physiological collapse, driven by rabies‑induced encephalitis.