Page 51 - Mammal (DK Eyewitness)

GRAIN DRAINS Seeds are held
Apart from ourselves, house mice are probably the in fore paws
world’s greatest graminivores (grain eaters). Even in the
wild these small rodents have an amazingly varied diet
and tackle seeds, fruits, leaves, shoots, and other plant
matter, and also insects and other small creatures. In and
around human habitation they become still more
unfussy. They have eaten bread, paper, string, butter,
soap, candle wax (see opposite), and other waxy or fatty
substances, plus of course the famous cheese used to bait
mousetraps. House mice have even been known to
invade butchers’ cold stores and feed on chilled or
frozen meat. The mouse gnaws and chisels at the food
with its long, sharp front incisors typical of the rodent
group (p. 50); it usually holds small items in its front
paws. Its lower incisors leave two characteristic grooves.

House mice feeding on grain

Heading off to
a secret store … (p. 52)

Mice sit on back
legs when using front
paws to hold food

CLAWS FOR EVERY OCCASION Mouse is alert to
The Malayan sun bear, like most of its
relatives (p. 50), is an all-around feeder danger even
(omnivore). It is the smallest bear, and when feeding
its light weight and long, curved claws
(relative to other species) enable it to
climb well and also hook ripe fruit from branches.
It also tears bark from trees with its claws to
uncover grubs and the nests of termites and bees.

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB
The chimp’s brain takes over when its
physique fails. Faced with termites deep
in a strong nest, our closest relative takes
a stick and dips it into the hole. The ter- FISH SUPPER
mites grab it, and the chimp fishes them The otter rarely eats its catch in the water. It comes
out and licks off a tasty meal. A few to the bank and holds down the slippery meal with
mammals, and some birds, are known to its front feet while tearing at the flesh with its
use tools in this fashion. sharp, spearlike canine teeth (p. 50). Otters also eat
small mammals, birds, and frogs.

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