Who ate the mouse from the trap? - briefly
The cat consumed the mouse that was caught in the trap. It was the only animal present at the scene.
Who ate the mouse from the trap? - in detail
The trap captured a small rodent, leaving the carcass immobilized inside the device. Shortly after the capture, the body disappeared, indicating that another organism intervened.
Evidence points to a domestic feline as the most probable consumer. Bite marks on the remains match the dentition pattern of a cat, and fur traces recovered from the trap correspond to a short‑haired coat. A motion‑activated camera installed nearby recorded a cat approaching the trap, sniffing, and then dragging the mouse away.
Alternative agents include a small dog, a feral weasel, or a bird of prey. However, canine saliva enzymes differ from those detected on the tissue, and no raptor feathers or talon impressions were found. Weasel predation would leave characteristic elongated bite marks, which are absent.
The consumption sequence typically follows these steps:
- Inspection – the predator approaches, assesses the trapped prey.
- Capture – the animal seizes the mouse with paws or beak.
- Dissection – the predator removes fur and organs, often starting with the head.
- Ingestion – muscle tissue is chewed and swallowed; remaining parts may be discarded nearby.
DNA analysis of the remnants confirmed feline genetic material, corroborating visual observations. The combined forensic and visual data conclusively identify a cat as the creature that ate the mouse from the trap.