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I think that they knock stuff over to cause noise, that would send mice that are hiding in corners running, and then they could pounce on them. They are not hun
by Euphorbium 2y ago
I think that they knock stuff over to cause noise, that would send mice that are hiding in corners running, and then they could pounce on them. They are not hunting the stuff that tey are knocking over, they are using it as lure for the hidden mice. The same reason they like to squeeze into tight spaces, that is where the mice are likely to be.
- jimmux 2y agoI like that hypothesis. I have another one. They are removing variables from the environment. Any unfixed object in a high position can potentially lead to a fall if they try to walk over it. It could also alert prey/predators if it falls at the wrong time. Better to get rid of it now and be sure it won't cause problems later.
- gwern 2y agoI don't think that makes any sense. Many of the objects make little sound (how loud is a q-tip hitting the ground, exactly?), you wouldn't watch the falling object if you were expecting to flush out prey elsewhere - nor, for that matter, have I ever seen hiding animals scared out by a falling sound. (Whenever my cat has caught a mouse or other animal and it successfully hid in a crack or between the wall or under the refrigerator, it has been quite difficult to extricate the animal.)