Research Into Mouse Intelligence

Some time ago, we were treated to a flood of questionable articles on the subject of goldfish versus dolphin intelligence. Apart from the fact that no one knows what would qualify as intelligent behaviour in the wilds of the ocean, I was recently witness to an incident that provided at least the appearance of intelligence, and of interspecies co-operation of a sort.

Our garage heats up during the summer afternoons; so that we normally raise the overhead door about four or five inches late in the day, to allow airflow through to the windlow at the back. This leaves an element of vulnerability; little wild critters could, in theory, move in during the heat of the day.

Several months ago, a grey mouse was seen scuttling between the many storage boxes which clutter our garage, and which seem to multiply there while our attention is on other things.

Noise did not flush the critter, but instead made him/her hide all the more, and I knew it would do no good to persist.

It did leave somewhat of a dilemma, because leaving the door up in hope the mouse would leave, could simply invite mousely friends and neighbours in to enjoy the comfort of my ample stash of cardboard.

I pursued the militaristic course; I bought a mousetrap. It was not the kind I was used to - instead of the wood platform with hinge and spring, it was a foldable bit of cardboard with a pad of sticky material inside, smelling of peanut butter or some such, and intended to entangle the poor rodent in fragrant goop. It seemed more in the line of chemical weaponry than good honest spring-loaded artillery; I felt rather like Saddam in setting it up in the garage.

Three days later, the trap remained empty, while the garage became very hot in the afternoons with the door shut. There was no sign of the mouse, and I began to wish our cat had not died of old age and cancer some years ago. 'Fluffy' does not have a ring of fierceness about it, but she would have sorted this matter out very rapidly.

In the wee hours of day four, I went to the garage to lock the outer door, and to check the trap with weakening optimism. Turning on the light, there was the mouse, poised by the overhead door, like a pet waiting to be let out. It did not scurry off, but waited by the door, even as I pushed the wall button to raise it. As the door rose four or five inches, it calmly moved about six inches as well, putting itself in the driveway as I quickly lowered the door again. It felt much like putting out the cat.

I don't know whether I can comment on dolphin or goldfish intelligence - that particular South African study was funded, I understand, by the Japanese, who wish to eliminate dolphins from their waters without incurring too much bad press. However, I can vouch for mouse intelligence, having paid for an empty trap, and having served as butler of sorts - to a mouse.