What does a mouse trap do to a mouse? - briefly
A mouse trap captures a mouse and usually kills it by snapping shut on the animal’s body. The swift closure inflicts fatal injury or immobilizes the rodent instantly.
What does a mouse trap do to a mouse? - in detail
A snap‑type trap applies a rapid, forceful compression to the mouse’s spinal column and thoracic cavity. The spring‑loaded bar strikes the animal’s neck or upper back, causing immediate disruption of the vertebral vertebrae and crushing of the rib cage. This results in instantaneous loss of central nervous system function and cessation of cardiac activity.
Physiological consequences include:
- Fracture of cervical vertebrae, severing the spinal cord.
- Collapse of the thoracic cavity, halting respiration.
- Massive hemorrhage from torn major blood vessels.
- Immediate loss of consciousness due to spinal shock.
Glue boards immobilize a mouse by adhering its paws and tail to a polymer surface. The animal remains conscious, experiences prolonged stress, dehydration, and eventual death from asphyxiation or organ failure. The adhesive also damages fur and skin, leading to secondary infections if the animal is released alive.
Electric traps deliver a high‑voltage, low‑current pulse through the mouse’s body. The pulse induces ventricular fibrillation, causing cardiac arrest within seconds. Muscle contraction may also result in skeletal damage, but the primary lethal effect is disruption of the heart’s electrical rhythm.
Live‑capture cages confine the mouse without inflicting physical injury. The animal experiences confinement stress, potential overheating, and dehydration if left unattended. Release requires proper handling to avoid injury to both the mouse and the handler.
In summary, each trapping method produces a distinct physiological outcome: snap mechanisms cause immediate structural trauma, glue surfaces lead to prolonged suffocation, electric devices induce rapid cardiac failure, and live cages result in stress‑related morbidity. The choice of trap determines the speed and nature of the mouse’s demise.