Why are these mice famous?

There are over 1000 species of mice in the world. Some of them are famous. Do you know why?

1. Andean leaf-eared mouse

1. It is the only mouse species in South America.
2. It lives at the highest elevation of any known vertebrate animal species.
3. One ran for president of Peru and almost won.
4. It is the only animal with ears shaped like leaves.

Answer: b. This mouse can live where no other vertebrate animal lives because it can eat toxic plants and has adaptations for using oxygen efficiently. 

2. NASA mouse

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1. This mouse hangs out with space aliens.
2. This is the only known mouse that eats raisin bran for breakfast.
3. It lives on the International Space Station.
4. It once dated Minnie Mouse.

Answer: c. Mice have been going into space since the 1950s. In the 21st century, they live in a laboratory on the International Space Station.

3. Perdido beach mouse

1. This mouse wrestles alligators.
2. It owns a nightclub in Miami.
3. This mouse kicks field goals (tiny little field goals) for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
4. This mouse helps prevent damage from hurricanes.

Answer: d. This mouse helps protect Perdido Island in Florida. Plants grow around its burrows and form sand dunes that keep big waves from washing inland. Unfortunately, the Perdido beach mouse is now endangered, but people are working to restore its habitat so it can keep protecting the island from hurricanes.

4. Southern grasshopper mouse

1. This mouse bites the tail off of a scorpion before getting stung, and then eats the scorpion.
2. This mouse can detect gold and other precious minerals beneath desert sands.
3. It builds tiny condominiums in Phoenix, Arizona.
4. This mouse gets up on its hind legs and jumps around like a grasshopper.

Answer: a. The grasshopper mouse hunts scorpions, lizards, and other animals like a tiny little lion. This mouse also stands on its hind legs and howls at the moon – really!

5. Steamboat Willie (also goes by Mickey)

1. This mouse was once more famous than almost any human, including presidents, kings, and superstar athletes.
2. This mouse lives in the most popular theme parks on Earth.
3. This mouse hangs out with a duck with anger control issues.
4. All of the above.

Answer: d. Mickey Mouse became a worldwide movie star in 1928 in the cartoon short “Steamboat Willie,” and he is still famous one hundred years later.

By David Brown