0
- This is a myth, not factual.
- One reason that many people felt this myth might be true is because they thought an elephant might fear a mouse creeping into its trunk while asleep - stopping it from breathing. However this logic has a fatal flaw. Apart from the fact that no mouse in his right mind would choose such a crazy place for a snooze, any sleeping elephant would easily smell such a suicidal rodent. And the force that an elephant has for blowing obstructions from their trunks is plenty adequate to shoot a mouse out like a ball from a cannon.
- Mice, per se, do not bother any of them. They are a very natural part of their environments. A mouse walking by is not a problem for any of the larger animals. What DOES bother them is anything that startles them. A mouse that was very still and in the elephant's view is not an issue. If this (very stationary) mouse suddenly moves, the movement that occurs MAY startle the elephant. This depends on many factors. What other noises are around. Are there any predators (perceived or otherwise) nearby? What smells are around? How close is the mouse?
- There are plenty of websites explaining that it depends on the elephants in question. The elephants in the Mythbusters episode were "semi-habituated", likely spending most--if not all--of their time out in a natural environment instead of in a man-made structures with food stores nearby (where mice would happily forage). A stark-white mouse suddenly appearing underfoot would startle them as a curious anomaly in their natural environment... unlike a circus or zoo-kept elephant that was used to seeing mice scurrying around, as part of everyday life. So, it depends on the elephant and how/where it was raised and if it was exposed to mice in everyday life.
- Their reaction may not be related to the mouse as an animal, but rather to its being a moving object near the animal's feet. It can be a question of whether the animal feels it is in any danger of loss of sure footing. It is sometimes difficult for large animals to get up again after fully down ("cast"), they depend on their readiness for flight or running away from danger and they avoid or fear the inability to do this. When large animals, like elephants, see something moving toward or under foot, they worry that they will lose their footing and fall and then be unable to get up again to flee from danger.
- When elephants need to move from a position on their sides on the ground they need a lot of room to get up. They need to be able to roll themselves back first to get momentum to allow them to get partially up on their sides and to get their feet under them to stand. If they do not feel that they will have plenty of room should this become necessary, they will avoid anything that puts their sure footing in jeopardy. A small object moving, like a rock rolling can indicate loose footing. A small moving mouse can trigger this worry about footing and cause the large animal to move to an area that will be more sure under foot and that has large enough space for them to get back up if they go down.
It's not known if elephants are actually scared of mice, but as the television show 'Mythbusters' has shown: where possible, elephants will avoid mice.
Perhaps mice are to elephants what cockroaches are to people: something small and fast that they instinctively back away from.
Their reaction may not be related to the mouse as an animal, but rather to its being a moving object near the animal's feet. It can be a question of whether the animal feels it is in any danger of loss of sure footing. It is sometimes difficult for large animals to get up again after fully down ("cast"), they depend on their readiness for flight or running away from danger and they avoid or fear the inability to do this. When large animals, like elephants, see something moving toward or under foot, they worry that they will lose their footing and fall and then be unable to get up again to flee from danger.
When elephants need to move from a position on their sides on the ground they need a lot of room to get up. They need to be able to roll themselves back first to get momentum to allow them to get partially up on their sides and to get their feet under them to stand. If they do not feel that they will have plenty of room should this become necessary, they will avoid anything that puts their sure footing in jeopardy. A small object moving, like a rock rolling can indicate loose footing. A small moving mouse can trigger this worry about footing and cause the large animal to move to an area that will be more sure under foot and that has large enough space for them to get back up if they go down.
No. This is a concept inspired by fiction. Elephants can be startled by any sudden, unexplained movement, but not specifically by any animal. For example, they show mostly disdain for snakes. Tame elephants presented with a mouse will usually completely ignore it.
*In a test performed by the television series "Mythbusters", two elephants were wary of a white mouse that appeared in their path. So in some circumstances, the appearance of unfamiliar animals such as mice can cause elephants to avoid them.
yes
Basically, elephants flee from danger and are afraid of whatever they don't know. Zoo and circus elephants, however, know practically everything about their environment, and they certainly know mice. Whenever large quantities of hay and straw are delivered to a stable, there are often a few mice hidden in the bales.
In their search for food, mice quickly discover the elephants' many leftovers. Furthermore, a stable is an ideal home for a mouse. It has everything it needs: food, nesting material, warmth and quiet hiding places.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why are elephants scared of mice?
Mice are small and elephants are big but why I dont know...? Because if an elephant steps on a mouse, the elephant will be punished in the afterlife. elephants r not scared of mice it is a mith JESSIES ANSWER- you spellt myth wrong. and It is true, elephants are scared because.... well, the scurry EVERYWHERE and the elephant hates stepping on small creatures (mouse) the person up there whpo aasnwerred needds too learn hoowww to spel.
Are dragons scared of mice?
Only when the mouse is bigger than the dragon. There is however, no analog to the folk tale (false) that elephants are scared of mice. Dragons, being huge creatures, would probably not even notice mice.
What are elephants afraid of?
Pretty much every animal on this Earth. The elephant is the largest land mammal, so even lions are scared of them and run away because they do not want to become lion pulp. The only creature not scared of them is giraffes because they are taller than elephants and cannot get squished by them.
Are South African elephants afraid of mice?
There have been test with South African elephants to see if they were really afraid of mice. Mice have stopped elephants in their tracts when placed in front of the elephant. The animal showed signs of being cautious and upset but not proven to be fearful.
Why elephant scared of ants?
They don't hate mice, they are just wary of them. Mice are small enough to easily hide in small shrubs, and the elephant has no idea that it's there until it rushes out from said shrubs in front of the behemoth. To the elephant, it seems like the rodent appeared out of thin air, and this startles it.
Why are elephants afraid of rats?
The urban legend about elephants being afraid of one of the smallest (mice) has been perpetuated in cartoons, as well as popular animated films such as Disney's 'Dumbo'. It's not clear where the idea came from, but many people have theorized that elephants might be afraid of mice because they fear that the tiny creatures will crawl inside their trunks, irritating them. Elephants in captivity have been exposed to mice because they are frequently found in and around the elephants' feed (hay). Many caretakers have observed mice crawling on the trunks and faces of (awake) elephants and observed that the elephants take absolutely no notice of the mice, much less express fear or in their presence. Based on observations of interactions between elephants and mice, and the apparent peaceful coexistence, it's unclear where the myth may have originated.
What animal is scared of the zebra?
elephants are scared of zebras
Do elephants have to be scared?
No elephants do not have to be scared. These animals are rather peaceful but are known to startle and scare easily and become aggressive.
Are elephants and mice the same species?
No, elephants and mice are not the same species. The only thing that is similar between them is the fact they are both mammals.
Are elephants afraid of mice rats?
Yes! It's wierd, but all elephants (big or small) are afraid of mice. I don't know about rats, but I think elephants are afraid of them too.
Why are people scared of mouse?
Mice are scared of humans as they are viewed as predators. Mice will instinctively run from anything they perceive as a threat.
Do mice eat away elephants feet?
no
